BRAINTREE Rugby Club's chairman of selectors David Gilder felt their performance against Maldon was the worst of the season in Essex League division one B.

However, the Black and Ambers overcame not being on form to win 31-20 with a result that maintained their 100 per cent league record and saw them bounce back after losing in the RFU Junior Vase the week before.

Gilder said: “Although we scrummaged well and pushed Maldon off almost all of their scrum ball it was our worst performance of the season.

“It seemed a case of after the Lord Mayor’s parade following the narrow defeat in the RFU Vase and the end of our Twickenham dream last week

“The game seemed to mirror the dull and dour weather and we had Craig Willis to thank for a superb performance with the boot.

"However, a win is a win.”

Braintree joint coach Brian Joslin added: “It was a tough game and we made very hard work of the win.

"There were lots of unforced errors which kept Maldon in contention.

“Craig had a barnstormer of a game but Dominic Dann in the backs and Jamie Prince in the forwards ran him close for man of the match.”

Braintree will be looking for a big improvement when they make the short trip to bottom side Witham on Saturday for what is always a keenly-fought derby clash.

n Braintree’s academy side exited the National Colts Cup when they were beaten 43-7 by a very strong Guildford Colts.