Braintree notched their first win of the new campaign with one of their most intelligent displays as they adapted to a blustery wind far better than their hosts.

Despite having to re-shuffle their back-line shortly after the interval following the withdrawal through injury of influential fly-half Craig Willis, the Black and Ambers overcame the disadvantage of playing into the gale for the second period by keeping the ball tight among their forwards and kicking sparingly and effectively.

At half-time Braintree held a slender wind-assisted 7-0 lead. But the Black and Ambers adapted to the conditions.

Adrian Coote's men took the lead when Willis, who soon after suffered a knee injury, scored under the posts before converting his own try.

On 49 minutes Romford scored a penalty to reduce the arrears. Hooker Stevie Sewell burrowed over from close in following a catch and drive at the line-out in the 78th minute for Braintree.

They extended their lead in time added through a stand-in fly-half Coote penalty. The referee awarded the home side a dubious converted penalty-try deep into injury time.

Published Tuesday, September 14, 2004

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