It was a similarly dozy start for Brentwood who seem to take a while to adjust to any journey that’s over 20 minutes and, after a good maul rumble on Brentwood’s 10 metre line, Stowmarket’s flyhalf went blind and jinked all the way through to within 2 metres of Brentwood’s try line before getting the offload away for the opening score, 5-0.

Shortly after, having worked to establish a bit of a foothold in the game via some territory and possession, Brentwood took the opportunity to get a 3 pointer on the board from the boot of Jamie Cox, 5-3, but although they had further opportunities just couldn’t quite get over the whitewash for a try of their own.

Stowmarket then extended their lead when, having initially broken from stealing a Brentwood lineout deep in their own 22, a penalty was kicked into the corner. Brentwood disrupted well initially but Stowmarket were patient and some quick hands found them just enough space to squeeze in at the opposite corner which, with the conversion, took their lead to 12-3.

Brentwood though hit back quickly. A big tackle from Luke Watson at the restart saw him back on his feet quickly to also steal the ball giving Brentwood possession in Stowmarket’s 22. Having gone through various phases they earnt a penalty 5 metres out which Jamie Cox tapped and passed to Charlie Parker and, if like Stowmarket’s defence and I, you were expecting the crash ball you’d be very wrong, some lovely footwork seeing Charlie through for the try with barely a hand laid on him. Jamie’s conversion reduced the deficit to 12-10.

The score stayed the same for the next 15 or so minutes but this is Brentwood so inevitably there was a try to be conceded before half time, although there was an element of misfortune in it. With Stowmarket having got a penalty to give them an attacking lineout inside Brentwood’s 22, Brentwood had largely defended well through various phases but as the referee saw what he thought was a head injury and rightly brought play to a brief stop, a scrum was awarded in Stowmarket’s favour 5 metres out. Stowmarket had been very much in the scrum ascendency for the duration of the first half so there was little surprise that they opted to keep the ball in, pushing Brentwood over for the try right under the posts, 19-10 and half time.

The second half saw Brentwood almost immediately with a man advantage, Stowmarket seeing yellow for foul play, which they made count a few minutes later when a thumping hit in midfield from Tom Walker forced the ball to be spilled and Brentwood piled through on the counterattack. Stowmarket could not stop it legally and Eamon Tiernan wasted no time in tapping the penalty and battering over, Jamie added the extras, 19-17.

Brentwood’s third was scored about 10 minutes later after Stowmarket had been applying pressure in the Brentwood 22. Brentwood’s defence held firm and the ball went loose, Jack Mayes getting a foot to it before Tauren Henwood regathered and got the offload to Isaac Kibirige on the 22. With a lot of grass in front of him, Isaac pinned his ears back and scorched down the wing, just about winning the footrace ahead of Stowmarket’s cover and leaving his lungs in the right corner in the process. Jamie loves a touchline conversion, 19-24.

Sevens minutes later it was Stowmarket who retook the lead once more. Having got back on the front foot and into Brentwood’s 22, a penalty was won from which they opted for the scrum where they were still very much in the ascendancy and with the damage done from the initial shove, Stowmarket’s 8 broke from the back to go over for the try, conversion added 26-24.

The pessimists amongst us (me) were starting to get the feeling that this game could be another of those that slipped away but happily Brentwood proved me wrong with two tries in five minutes putting them in a lead they would not relinquish.

The fourth and bonus point try came after a combination of Tom Walker, Den Pembroke and Tauren Henwood had made significant inroads in the midfield and after a couple more phases Tom Fahy powered down the blindside to take Brentwood to within two metres. The ball was recycled via Alfie Adams before being whipped quickly from Kieran Ballinger to Luke Watson who had the strength to bundle in at the corner through the covering tackle, Jamie’s conversion was again spot on, 26-31.

Brentwood’s 5th try and the one that cemented the win was scored swiftly after. Tauren Henwood’s hefty exit from the restart saw Stowmarket try and run the ball from just outside their 22 where they were stopped very abruptly first by George Bassenger and then by Tom Walker again, the ball being turned over in the process. A quick Charlie Parker rumble allowed the backs to reset with Tom finding Tauren out wide before he got the ball back inside on the pop to Dan Pembroke. A typically pinballing run from Jack Mayes got Brentwood very close before Tauren bounced through the attempted tackle to reach and score the decisive try. Jamie completed a 100% display with the boot, 26-38.

There was still time left for Stowmarket to add one more of their own. After Brentwood had given away a slew of penalties there was another scrum 5 and whilst Brentwood did manage to prevent the push over, they couldn’t stop the follow up pick and goes for the lines, 31-38 and still time for a restart…

Unsurprisingly, Brentwood went long, and Alfie Adams put in a good hit which saw the ball spill out and George Bassenger snaffle it, two more phases seeing the time out for Jamie Cox to welly the ball into touch for full time.

For Brentwood this was a good, resilient win on the road against a Stowmarket team who are strong at home. Next week Brentwood return to King George’s where they take on familiar rivals Woodford who currently sit in 4th place, a comfortable 14 points ahead of Brentwood’s 6th. The away fixture saw Woodford claim a narrow two-point win and Brentwood will need to convert their opportunities if they are to make amends for this and make it three wins on the trot.