Braintree Rugby Club joint coach Brian Joslin said his team’s London League division two north east survival bid must kick-start with a home win against Basildon today.

The Black and Ambers’ hopes for a change of fortune in 2015 were left in tatters as leaders Chelmsford inflicted a 13th straight defeat on their hapless county rivals with a 56-0 victory.

But Joslin feels they can move on positively with a good display against Basildon.

“This was always going to be a tough encounter for us – Chelmsford had won ten out of 12 and we’d lost every one of our games,” he said. “We lost heavily but I cannot fault the effort of the 18 lads who took to the pitch.

“They defended doggedly throughout and gave their all, as they always do. Chelmsford look destined to go up and they deserve it. Good luck to them.

“As for us, we can still avoid the drop, but we need to start winning now. Our season starts from the next game.”

In division three north east, Clacton will be looking to get on the pitch today. They failed to fulfil their home fixture against leaders Sudbury last weekend and host second-place Cantabrigian tomorrow.

In Eastern Counties division one, Mersea Island will be looking to build on their 36-19 home victory against Swaffham last weekend. The Islanders hope to continue their attempts to consolidate a mid-table position when third-placed Thetford visit the Glebe today.

In division two south, Harwich & Dovercourt coach Shane Manning believes his high-flying side can get even better – if they sustain their tempo for 80 minutes The Low Road side are second in the table, hot on the heels of leaders Colchester seconds.

They have won ten of their 11 games and are just six points behind the pace-setters.

Manning’s side kept up the pace with a 55-5 success at Ipswich last week but the coach believes there is still room for improvement, starting with today’s match at fourth-placed Hadleigh.

“It’s another away game and sure to be another hard, physical encounter,” said Manning. “We’ll have to play as a team for the whole game, if we want to come away with the points. We didn’t do that last week, although it was another bonus-point win and that’s all that matters.

“But it’s becoming a little like Groundhog Day. We were brilliant in the first half, sticking to the game-plan and team structures. However, it was followed once again by a second half in which we weren’t as clinical.”

Colchester’s seconds entertain Felixstowe today, Mistley host Ipswich seconds and Brightlingsea travel to take on Ipswich YM seconds.