Another good day on the road...

Saffron Walden 0 Brentwood 50 - Match Report by John Smeaton

Last Saturday Brentwood made the short journey to Saffron Walden for a London 1 North fixture. Saffron Walden were promoted to this league at the end of last season, and have adjusted well to the demands of level 6 rugby, sitting in 7th place in the table. Brentwood occupy 2nd place, and with 7 games to go have a good chance of promotion, realistically only via the play offs, and it is not only vital that every game is won, but also that the all-important bonus point for scoring 4 tries is achieved in all matches. The playoff game is played between the runners up in London 1 South and London 1 North, and the club with the highest league points total will have home ground advantage.

Brentwood kicked off under leaden skies, and had to endure a very frustrating first half, as they were regularly penalised by the referee for infringements in the contact areas. The result being that the Saffron Walden outside half continually pushed his side into Brentwood territory with penalty kicks, but although the home side dominated the game territorially they never threatened the Brentwood line, due to some fine all round good Brentwood tackling with Simpson, Aldous, and Stannard all outstanding.
On the rare occasions when the away side got the ball in their hands and moved it wide they looked dangerous. Firstly hooker Jack Richards dived over, secondly the majestic Stannard crashed over in the corner after a great break from the ever improving Vogel. Charlie Chambers missed the first conversion bur scored the second. A couple of other scoring opportunities went begging, but at the half time whistle Brentwood lead by 12 points to nil.

The 2nd half was a different story, and although the referee still regularly penalised the away side, Brentwood’s superior fitness began to tell. Coach Killington used his bench well bringing on fresh legs, in Pratley, Hobbs, and Galligan. The only downside being the loss of hooker Richards with a neck injury.

Six further tries were scored by Thomas, Gillet, Galligan, Charlie Chambers, Simpson, and Harry Chambers, 4 of which Charlie Chambers converted, including a cheeky little drop kick in front of the posts which nearly missed
Another great day for Brentwood, as this young side of home grown players go from strength to strength, some excellent all round performances from Ben Amato, the veteran Tom King, and Ed Hornby , in a side as usual led from the front by Woodcock. With injuries in the prop department, coach Killington was relieved to welcome back into the fold the evergreen Joel Bevans-Royston, and his latest signing the dynamic and influential Tijde Visser.

Not only a good win, but the try bonus point also gained

Next week is a well deserved break before the 1st XV continue their push for promotion at home to 4th placed North Walsham KO 3pm at King George's - all very welcome!