By John Troup

BRAINTREE Rugby Club chairman of selectors David Gilder was glad that pride was restored as the Black and Ambers secured a 21-10 victory against Canvey Island.

A closely-fought London League division three Essex encounter ended with Braintree taking the honours to stay in the top three ahead of a trip to Upminster this weekend where they will face Old Cooperians on Saturday.

And Gilder was delighted to see the record set straight against the Islanders.

He said: “Having suffered a rather humiliating defeat away to Canvey late last season, this really was a must-win game for our pride.

“It wasn’t a pretty win but we will take it gladly all the same.

"The fact we came out on top was testament to our defensive resilience against a huge side who could have blown us away had we not been so committed.

“Young Robert Oakley was calm as a cucumber at stand-off on his debut and excellent with his long-range place kicking.

“To earn parity in the scrums was a big achievement against a much bigger side and proved pivotal in the win.

The Colebrook Offshire man-of-the-match was prop Jamie Prince and first team coach Jamie Clarke was equally delighted.

He added: “We really had to dig deep today against a side with a very good set of forwards, but we stuck to the task and our defence was great.

“Jamie Prince at tight-head prop had a storming game and Robert Oakley had a really solid and assured game at fly-half considering he was making his debut.

“Canvey made it really difficult for us in conditions that probably suited them, so even though we were not at our best we still deserved the win.”