BRAINTREE 44

CANVEY ISLAND 17

Canterbury Jack Essex League division one B

BRAINTREE Rugby Club kept their 100 per cent record intact as they squeaked past Maldon on points difference to go top of Essex League division one B with a well-deserved victory at Robbs Wood.

After a slow start, Braintree eventually started building periods of sustained possession and they drew first blood on eight minutes when outside centre Craig Willis outpaced his marker to score out wide.

A second try came after line-out ball was secured and the home backs moved play from wing to wing before prop Daryl Coote rampaged over from close range to extend the lead to 10-0.

An even better score followed on 25 minutes when number eight John Smillie broke away and fed winger Fergus Rollit-Mason.

He slipped two tackles before passing inside to Tom Carslake, who had set off in support using a superb angle of attack and crashed over for a try that Willis converted.

Four minutes later Smillie scored the try of the half when he picked up the ball from the base of a scrum 30 metres out and careered past a string of missed tackles to score.

Willis did the honours with the boot to put Braintree 24-0 ahead and although Canvey scored a try of their own on 34 minutes, Willis kicked a penalty which secured a 27-5 interval lead.

The home side started slowly again after the break and Canvey’s forwards began to have an impact in the scrums.

They got their just reward when they were awarded a converted penalty try to narrow the deficit to 27-12, but Braintree emptied their bench to give them fresh impetus.

The home side looked to kill the game to nip Canvey’s comeback in the bud and on 65 minutes, Dan Johnson was on hand to crash over for a 34-12 advantage after Willis added another conversion.

The visitors scored an unconverted pushover forwards try ten minutes from time but another penalty from Willis and a late try for Crane, who collected the ball following a superb kick from Dave Martindale, put the islanders to the sword. Willis’ final conversion gave Braintree a 44-17 win.

Braintree: Drew, Rollit-Mason, Dann, Willis, Abbott, Martindale, Page, Prince, Sewell, Coote, Apps, M Turner, Carslake, Benfield, Smillie. Reps: Crane, Johnston, L Turner.