Braintree were promoted from London North East Four as champions on Saturday after they safely delivered the expected resounding victory over whipping boys Woodbridge in front of a small legion of travelling fans.

The black and ambers sensational post Christmas run of form carried them to the heady heights of the table and after overhauling rivals Eton Manor earlier in the year their supremacy never looked in doubt.

With such a young core to their squad and numerous youngsters waiting in the wings to follow in their footsteps the future looks decidedly bright for joint coaches Barrie Winwood and Gary Coote, who both have to take a massive pat on the back for changing the fortunes of an under achieving club.

Saturday's game against pointless Woodbridge had been billed as a mere formality but Coote and Winwood ensured their troops didn't take anything for granted in their quest to climb back up the Powergen London League hierarchy.

But they still had to overcome an early scare which saw them 7-3 down after seven minutes against a side who finish the season with a points difference the wrong side of minus 700.

Tree, cheered on by a coachload of supporters who made the short trip across the border into Suffolk, took the lead inside the first minute when fly-half Craig Willis despatched a penalty after an early infringement by the home side.

But six minutes later Woodbridge managed to cross the line after their first real attack.

The try was converted and the black and ambers suddenly found themselves 7-3 down.

Tree's fans needn't have worried though and normal service was resumed after 18 minutes when number eight Lewis Hett picked up off the back of a scrum and powered over for a score which was converted by Willis.

Four minutes later hooker Stevie Sewell scored what is fast becoming his customary try from close in as he burrowed through Woodbridge's dishevelled defence to go over with ball in hand, allowing Willis to collect the extra two points yet again.

The tries were coming thick and fast now and just two minutes later blind side flanker Chris Copsey took a ball at pace and sprinted over from 20 metres out as gaps opened in the home side's back line. Willis was on hand to convert again.

Centre Benny Stammers got in on the act after 31 minutes with his own individual try and seven minutes later Josh Winwood scored the first of his three tries when he rounded off a move through the backs with Willis converting both scores to give Tree a 38-7 interval lead.

Twelve minutes into the second period Winwood added his second behind the posts with Willis converting before completing his hat-trick in the 61st minute with a chip and chase effort.

Ex-skipper Matt Wadforth was next on the scoresheet after 65 minutes when he exploited a gap in the home defence as the ball was spun through the hands and three minutes later prop Daryl Coote went over from close range for a score which was converted by Willis.

Centre Andy Bennett rounded matters off with a solo try six minutes from time.

Chairman of selectors Jeff Lewis said: "Woodbridge made a game of it and we weren't able to finish the campaign with the kind of rugby we wanted, but we still managed to score 10 tries and despite an early scare when they went ahead the result was never really in doubt.

Published Wednesday, April 16, 2003

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