By John Troup

BRAINTREE Rugby Club suffered a "thoroughly disappointing day" as their run of London League division three Essex losses stretched to three in a row at Ilford Wanderers.

A young Black and Ambers side were beaten 38-12 and slipped to sixth in the table as they were unable to bounce back after defeats by Kings Cross Steelers and Epping Upper Clapton in their previous two outings.

Braintree's chairman of selectors David Gilder summed up the mood in the camp.

“It was a thoroughly disappointing day," he said.

“We had hoped to get back to winning ways against another mid-table side, but we weren’t able to select some key players due to injury and were forced to take a very young side to Ilford.

“The lads who stepped up from the second team all put in maximum effort and performed as well as the more experienced players, but it was a poor team performance all round.

“Our usual line speed and strong defence was missing and we looked toothless in attack.

“After being under the cosh for the first 20 minutes we did fight our way into the game and after scoring against the slope and elements late in the half, we hoped for a resurgence.

“Unfortunately it didn't happen and it was a performance and a day we want to forget and need to put behind us as soon as possible.”

Braintree are without a game this weekend but return to league action on November 17 against Campion at home.