On paper, a neutral would have given injury-hit Brentwood little chance of reversing their recent poor run on Saturday, when they took on visitors who were comfortably placed in the top half of the table.

Harpenden demonstrated their pre-match confidence by choosing to play up the slope in the first half and within four minutes went behind when Reynolds was successful with a penalty.

Brentwood's forwards took complete control and Harpenden were unable to get out of their own half before Reynolds added a second penalty after 20 minutes.

When Harpenden could get the ball away from the Brentwood pack they were met with some dogged defensive work by the home side's backs who held them comfortably at bay.

Their only response came from a penalty by their flyhalf, Boucher, in their first visit to the Brentwood "22" after half an hour. 6-3 to Brentwood at half-time.

With the slope in their favour in the second half Harpenden put early pressure on the Brentwood line but were thwarted by good scrummaging and were unable to make any real headway other than through a penalty from 30 metres by Boucher to level the scores 15 minutes into the half.

Brentwood evened out the territorial and possession statistics of the half through some good lineout work and several effective surges which took them close to the try line.

However it again took the boot of Reynolds to restore the lead after half an hour.

Harpenden came back but were held at a distance from the try line.

After five minutes of added time had been played, Brentwood were forced to go through some anxious moments before witnessing Boucher miss a kickable penalty and hearing the sound of the final whistle.

Brentwood showed far more discipline and commitment than of late and were rewarded with a justifiable victory.

This was built on their ability to control the game up front.

Their senior players performed well while those who were drafted in after the previous week's disappointing performance displayed commitment and made a significant contribution.

Shaw in particular demonstrated more of his potential as a major threat when driving at the heart of the opposition.

Brentwood: White, Webster, Steggles, Church, Harding, Reynolds, Twidale, Kirby, Brook, Townson, Brindle, Williams, Fowler (Parks, 70), Metcalfe and Shaw.

This Saturday sees Brentwood have a friendly fixture at Woodford prior to their next league game on December 11, at Old Albanians.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.