BRAINTREE Rugby Club joint coach Brian Joslin felt their Essex League division one win at Canvey Island was the most satisfying of a so-far highly-successful campaign.

The fixture at the second-placed side had looked a big test for Braintree, who travelled without a number of key players, but they extended their perfect start to the season with a 12th straight victory.

Joslin, who saw his team win 20-6, said: “Canvey pushed us really hard in the home fixture at the start of the season and since losing to us had gone on a winning run.

“Considering we were missing key personnel everyone within the group realised we were in for a tough day.

“But thanks to a momentous defensive effort, typified by Neil Fitzearle, we kept our 100 per cent record intact.

“Canvey threw everything at us but they just couldn’t penetrate our defence, whereas every time we entered their 22 we came away with points.

“Craig Willis put in a man-of-the-match performance in a game that for me was our most pleasing display of the season so far.”

Braintree will hope to continue their perfect record when they travel to Thetford in the RFU Vase on Saturday before returning to league action at home to Maldon on December 10.

n Braintree’s depleted seconds put in a creditable performance last weekend, despite losing 39-17 to South Woodham Ferrers twos, while the academy side returned to winning ways with a 40-0 hammering of Sudbury Colts.