WHILE his team have had a flawless start to the London League division three Essex season, Braintree Rugby Club joint coach Brian Joslin is warning against any drop in intensity from their players.

A 37-31 victory at local rivals Maldon followed wins against Campion and Clacton and the Black and Ambers are leading the division three Essex table ahead of Saturday's home game against Canvey Island.

It has been a fantastic start to the campaign after stepping up from Essex League division one last year and Joslin is delighted with the level of effort that his players are putting in.

However, he knows there are stern tests to come and knows there can be no complacency from his players.

He said: “It was a tough game like it always is against Maldon; so to come away with a 31-37 victory was very pleasing.

“I was very proud of all 18 players.

"They all put a shift in and withstood a late Maldon fight back in the last ten minutes.

“We’ve had a great start to the season so far but we’ve just got to make sure we keep going and don’t take our foot off the gas.”

Braintree chairman of selectors David Gilder felt the quality of play from the back row was impressive at Maldon and even though the hosts drew to within six points at the end, he never doubted a Black and Amber success story.

Gilder added: “It was yet another great game against Maldon, carrying on the pattern of the last couple of years.

“There was a lot of strong forward play from the home side, which we expected.

“But I thought our back row of Craig Willis, Dylan Moss and John Smillie, ably supported by Mikey Benfield, were superb.

“Craig had a superb match all round.

"Our line speed in defence was great led by Josh Hine at fly-half with him and Joss Adams class in attack.

“Even though it was a day when Maldon kept closing the points gap I never really felt we would do anything other than win.”