BRAINTREE Rugby Club opened their new year of fixtures as they ended the old one - with another Essex League division 1B victory - however, joint coach Brian Joslin is warning that there is a lot more work to be done before they can realise their promotion dreams.

The Black and Ambers extended their lead at the top to 16 points by returning to action after their mid-season break with a 48-12 eight-try win against second-placed Clacton.

It maintained Braintree's perfect run in the league with a 12th straight victory.

Joslin was pleased to see a positive performance against a tough opponent, but he and chair of selectors David Gilder have warned against any resting on laurels at Robbs Wood.

Joslin said: “I believe Clacton were missing some key players but we were still expecting a tough game and they got better as the game wore on.

“But credit to us for scoring eight tries.

"We started fast, which is unlike us, and we kept the tempo up for 80 minutes, which was very pleasing considering the Christmas break.

"In the forwards Jamie Prince, Wes Apps and Dylan Moss all had strong games, as did Craig Willis, Tom Drew and Henry Williams in the backs.

“All-in-all, this was a great team performance with lots of positives but there is still a lot of rugby to be played this season and a lot work to be done to achieve our goal of promotion.”

Gilder added that the upcoming merger between the top of Essex League division 1A with the leading 1B sides will provide a stern examination for the club, but they have two more games ahead of that to navigate first.

The chairman of selectors said: “We looked far more organised and likely to win even from the warm-up.

“The senior players gelled well with the youngsters who have come up through the academy to put in another solid performance.

“We now have two more consecutive home games to wrap up the first half of league action before merging with the top four sides from Essex 1A when we expect some tough tests.”

Braintree are back in Essex 1B action on Saturday when they entertain Writtle Wanderers at Robbs Wood (kick-off 2pm).