Anybody watching Saturday's game at Silver Keys would have thought that the teams' shirts had got mixed up before kick off, such was the dominance of Brentwood over the home team.

Bishop's Stortford, riding high in the league, in second place, had fancied an easy victory against lowly placed Brentwood but this was not to be the case.

Brentwood fielded Dean Taylor at full back and Micky Pain in the back row in place of White and Fowley, who were both unavailable.

On a bright afternoon, the visitors kicked off with the advantage of sun and wind and immediately gave away an unnecessary penalty.

Stortford ran the ball and scored an easy try on the left wing.

Brentwood's pack responded straight away and drove the ball to the home team's 22 where they were awarded a penalty for off-side. Van Rooyen converted to narrow the score to 5-3.

For the rest of the half Brentwood had almost total possession.

With the Stortford pack outplayed in the scrum and out-jumped in the line-out Brentwood wisely chose to play a tight game.

The home team, denied good ball, were unable to release their dangerous backs.

Brentwood used their tight forwards to punch holes in the close defence of Stortford but once again this match failed to produce the points the team so richly deserved.

Apart from the occasional foray by centre McConnal there was little penetration from the backs.

Half-time was reached at 5-3 and Stortford now had sun and wind advantage.

Brentwood immediately gave away two easy penalties to be suddenly down 11-3 in a game which they had been dominating.

Disaster followed when Stortford's right winger broke through Brentwood's defence and scored an unconverted try for a 16-3 lead.

At this point Brentwood might have given in and succumbed to a heavy defeat. But the team showed their character and refused to lie down.

Taking a line-out close to the Stortford Brentwood's pack launched continual attacks till the home team's pack dropped the scrum once too often and the visitors were awarded a deserved penalty try.

Van Rooyen converted and at 16-10 Brentwood were back in the game.

They continued to dominate the half until Stortford's winger scored another breakaway try to put the game out of reach at 21-20.

This try was most unfortunate, as the referee appeared to miss a forward pass, and took the bite out of the game.

The game ended with Brentwood still pressing the home team's line and Stortford being relieved to hear the referee's final whistle.

This was undoubtedly the best performance by a Brentwood pack for some years. There are no obvious weak links and they work tirelessly for each other.

Steve Taylor at prop was outstanding and Williams, Shaw and Metcalf showed up well in the loose, and some of this pack may be in contention for Eastern Counties caps.

The backs again defended well but as in recent games they lack a penetrative runner or real pace on the wings.

Any uncommitted back who is looking for a club at this level should try Brentwood. With a dominating pack winning such ample possession there is plenty of scope for additional talented backs in the squad.

Brentwood: Taylor (D), Webster, Gibson, McConnal, Coombes (Dyke), Van Rooyen, Twidale, Kirby, Brook, Taylor (S), Williams, Killington, Metcalf, Shaw (Brindle) and Pain.

Brentwood's next league match is at home to Braintree on Saturday, March 11 (kick off 3pm).

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