Braintree rugby chief Jeff Lewis has not given up hope of the Black and Ambers avoiding the drop this season.

The Beckers Green Road side remain anchored to the bottom of the Powergen London League North East division three table despite last week's 22-10 victory over Saffron Walden.

A defeat for relegation rivals Chelmsford on the same day helped to lift survival hopes, but Braintree will be well and truly up against it when they visit league leaders Chingford tomorrow.

However, chairman of selectors Lewis believes the crucial victory over Walden will have done wonders for his players' confidence.

He said: "Hopefully this could be the start of the fightback. We've got a mountain to climb but who knows?"

Colchester have a big day tomorrow. They have a London League North East division four game at home to Basildon and will then host a special attraction involving some illustrious players from the past.

The club will be celebrating the tenth anniversary of their double-winning season, when they lifted the Suffolk Cup for the first and only time and gained promotion to London League Two.

Mersea face a tough test, but can take great confidence from back-to-back victories over Thetford and Beccles at the Youth Camp.

The game is given extra spice with the Islanders' former coach Kev Parker now in charge of the visitors' forward pack.

In Essex League Division One Maldon visit East London while in Division Two of the Eastern Counties League Brightlingsea travel to Fakenham.

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Published Friday, February 25, 2005

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