Braintree's end of season celebrations became muted when the first and fifth team's opposition cried off and fixtures for them were unable to be found.
With their side bolstered by a large contingent of higher team players, and with the home support egging them on, the seconds found themselves up against an outfit far too powerful to handle.
Always on the retreat, they were unable to win any reasonable amount of quality ball to make an impression with, and the little they did obtain was quickly retrieved. Thirds win in style
BRAINTREE III.................................34
ROCHFORD III....................................5
As the only match at home on Saturday afternoon, Braintree returned the goods expected in front of the home crowd.
Rochford kept the ball tight in the forwards thwarting Braintree's attempts to open the game up.
As the match progressed and the visitors tired spaces opened up, which the home side quickly exploited.
Tries began to flow as the match neared its conclusion with new player James Merry scoring two tries, and Mark Davy, Chris McCann, Matthew Wadforth and Nigel Mann all adding their names on the scoresheet.
Gary Monk and Ricky Whyatt kicked a conversion apiece. Rochford show strength in depth
ROCHFORD IV...................................40
BRAINTREE.........................................0
In a similar vein to the previous matches, players out of their normal roles made for uneven sides spoiling what have been in the past closely contested games.
Out-rucked in the forwards Braintree had little chance to make any serious attacks on the home side's line. Rochford U15 too strong
BRAINTREE U15...............................12
ROCHFORD U15................................36
Braintree Under 15's put up a fine display for most of the match, but ran out of steam in the final quarter to let their guests run in four tries.
Rochford, who were knocked out by just a single point in the semi-final of the Essex Cup, were surprised by hard hitting rucking from the forwards and powerful running by the backs.
Joshua Winwood opened the scoring when out-thinking the opposition he intercepted the ball for a clear run to the line.
Rochford responded with two converted tries, then Luke McDonald brought the scoreline closer when he made a charge for the line to score under the posts, with Tom Chapman kicking the conversion.
As reach side tried to outwit the other an intriguing match developed, but Rochford proved to be the better side in the end. Colts get better of Upminster
BRAINTREE COLTS.........................27
UPMINSTER COLTS..........................5
The last game for the older Colts, before moving fully into the senior club, became a scrappy affair with most players' minds on the post-match end of season festivities.
However, there were some periods where Braintree put together some good moves to ensure they finished on top.
Lee Turner ran in two tries, with others by Tom Sturman and Jason Potts who also kicked two conversions and a penalty. U13 Braintree boys shine
DATCHWORTH U13.........................17
BRAINTREE U13...............................48
The Under 13's left their best till last with an emphatic win at Datchworth which has left them on a high for the start of next season.
In a fine effort, plenty of support was always at hand, creating three tries, for Jason Hadley and Luke Frances (2).
However, both Ryan James and Bradley Songhurst-Jones both produced the goods they have been promising all year with some direct powerful runs that were good to see.
Reward for their determination came with two tries for Ryan James and a try for Bradley Songhurst-Jones.
Hadley kicked three of his conversion attempts and Jamie Pilcher kicked the remaining one.
Braintree's Mini and Midi section went to the Chelmsford Festival on Sunday for their usual finish to the season.
This year ultimate success eluded them, but the Under 9's, 10's and 11's all got through to their respective finals, but the rest were knocked out in the earlier rounds.
The results were: U12 v Upminster L 0-5; v South Woodham Ferrers L 0-15; v Romford L 0-15. U11 v Upminster W 10-0; v Brentwood W 5-0; v Romford D 0-0; v Chingford W 15-0; v Colchester L 5-0 aet (tries: David Duffus (2), Robert Lacey, Aaron Entwhistle, Ross Marsh and Oliver Salisbury-Higgs. U10 v Upminster W 10-0; v Brentwood D 5-5; v Romford W 15-0; v Colchester W 30-0; v Westcliff L 0-15. Tries: Richard Stevens (2), Carl Hastler (2), Charles Monk (2), Chris King, James Pemberton, Glen Whyatt, Edward Marsden, Jack Gibbs and Gareth Barton. U9 v Upminster W 15-0; v Brentwood L 5-15; v Romford W 15-0; v Westcliff W 10-5; v Colchester L 0-5. Tries: James Duffus (5), Christopher Vince (2), Jack Keeble and Aidan Pemberton. U8 v Upminster L 5-15; v Chelmsford W 20-0; v Westcliff L 15-20; v Brentwood W 15-10; v Romford L 20-10; v Chingford D 15-15. Tries: Edward Day (6), Callum Southgate (5, Ben Smith (2), Tony Rowe, Daniel O'Connel and Wesley Fryatt. U7 v Upminster L 10-15; v Brentwood L 15-30; v Colchester W 30-0; v Romford L 10-15. Tries: Charles Marsden (8), Jamie Masters (2), Jordan Luker (2), and Oliver Beavis.
Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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