Brentwood made the long journey to Scottow, the home of North Walsham, which is on the northern outskirts of Norwich, in confident mood last Saturday, following the excellent win the previous week away to Old Priorians.
Head coach Steve Killington was able to name a strong squad for the game with no injury problems, with those 1st team squad members who did not make the match squad, in a strong 2nd team which also travelled to North Walsham to take on the home sides second XV.

Brentwood kicked off playing with a fairly strong wind blowing into their faces, and despite the long journey were quickly on the attack, with the away sides forwards dominating the early scrums, which was of little advantage, due to some strange interpretation of the rules of the game by the referee.

North Walsham, tried to play an open game, moving the ball through their backs at every opportunity, but excellent tackling, notably, from Stannard, Bird, and the ever enthusiastic Mead, meant that they made little, headway. Brentwood were dominating the contact areas, with Aldous, Binet and the evergreen Metcalfe putting in some sterling work. Brentwood had their opportunities to attack, but were frustrated time and time again by some of the debatable decisions made by the referee.
Most of the 1st half was played in the middle of the park, with North Walsham scoring two breakaway tries, the first after 14 minutes, which was converted, and the second again converted just prior to the half time whistle. Leaving the score 14 -0 to the home side at the break.

The second half began with Brentwood on the attack, and after 6 minutes some good inter change play between both backs and forwards captain Woodcock, dived over the line to score an excellent try after breaking through numerous tackles. Bird duly converted. Score 14 -7 to the home side.

Brentwood continued to press forward and after being camped in the oppositions 22, Henry Bird raced over to score in the corner, this following further inter play between the forwards and the backs, notably Pratley and Green - 25 minutes into the second half, Bird converted his own try with an excellent conversion from the touchline - score 14 - 14 game on.

The game was now set for a fiery, feisty last 15 minutes with both sides throwing everything they had at each other, Brentwood's standoff Simpson continually clearing his lines, and forcing North Walsham to attack from deep, and being continually knocked back by some ferocious tackling by all of the Brentwood players. North Walsham edged in front again after 70 minutes when they slotted over a penalty following Brentwood being off side - score 17 - 14 to the home side, only for Brentwood to respond with a penalty kick scored by Bird to level the score at 17 all.

The game was now on a knife edge, but in the last few minutes the Brentwood backs drove the ball up the field and deep into the oppositions 22 , Simpson dived over the line to put Brentwood ahead 22 - 17, and the dependable Bird duly converted taking the final score to 17-24 in favour of Brentwood

All in all an excellent game of rugby and a credit to both sides.

The CHIGWELL CONSTRUCTION man of the match, was awarded jointly to Billy Aldous and Josh Woodcock

Very few clubs leave North Walsham with a victory, and Brentwood can be well pleased with this win, 2 away wins on the trot, sets the club up nicely, for the first home game of the season, a visit from our old adversaries from Letchworth who last season finished fourth in the league. Kick off 3pm at King Georges playing fields.

Brentwoods 2nd XV team also had an excellent win at North Walsham leaving the final score at 13-33.

Other news from Brentwood RFC - the club is very pleased to announce that the training pitch, which has been re-laid following a generous grant from Sport England will be formally handed back to the club in time for training this coming Tuesday and that the clubhouse will be open for both weekend and evening Rugby World Cup matches.