IT may be early in the Canterbury Jack Essex League division one B season, but Braintree Rugby Club joint coach Dave Gilder feels his team's trip to Maldon today has "an important feel about it".

Braintree assumed a position at the summit as they maintained their unblemished start to the season by winning their third league game in a row with a 44-17 victory against Canvey Island last weekend.

That took them above former leaders Maldon on points difference to set up an intriguing clash between the two early front runners and Gilder said the whole club were looking forward to a trip which is set-up as a proper top of the table clash.

He said: “It’s very early in the campaign but Saturday’s game with Maldon already has an important feel about it.

“We’ve squeaked past them on points difference after the Canvey victory so it’ll be superb if we can go there and get a result so we can go clear at the top, but it will be far from easy.”

Braintree will head to their rivals in confident mood, though, after scoring 163 points from their three games so far and Gilder was impressed by the impact made throughout the Black and Ambers' squad in their latest victory.

He added: “We can’t be unhappy with three wins out of three but it was the manner of the victory which was most satisfying.

“Canvey are a good side and they wanted to play rugby at all times.

They also have a strong pack and their six and eight were very impressive.

“But everyone in a black and amber shirt gave their all, including the replacements, who provided a much needed boost just as Canvey looked like they were coming back into it.”