Braintree were disappointed with their opening match of the New Year on Saturday, but more importantly injuries to Ian Saward, shoulder, and Darren Smith, knee, weakens the side for a heavy League schedule over the next few weeks.

After Chelmsford's re-arranged league match at Rochford was postponed due to waterlogged pitches, the original fixture was resurrected.

The home side were mentally prepared after the Christmas lay-off and from the first attacked their guests with direct determined running.

Very much the second side of the day, Braintree let the home side run through the defence with only token attempts of tackling.

A number of players were given the opportunity in the Braintree line-up.

Fly-half, Simon Fookes, did all that was asked of him in the high profile position, and Michael Gaskell and Luong Huynh on the wings proved they have what it takes at this level.

In his first game for the premier side, wing forward Steve Gleeson, having worked his way through the ranks during the season, showed he has the determination and awareness to become a regular in the future.

Braintree's troubles started in the forwards where they did not commit themselves in both loose and tight play, letting Chelmsford steal too much possession.

One bright note was that of Matthew Wadforth who, once again, showed that he is a class above, producing a number of quality breaks which were not capitalised upon, and who also kicked the consolation penalty.

On Saturday Braintree has a heavy programme with the firsts away to Old Merchant Taylors in the League and the seconds playing them at home in the Merit Table.

The thirds and fourths both have B L Office Centre Essex Merit Tables matches at home to Rayleigh I, and away to Stanford II respectively. The fifths are at home to Rayleigh II. BRAINTREE II..................................34

CHELMSFORD II.............................15

Chelmsford got off to a fine start with a quick try setting Braintree back on their heels for the first quarter.

As the home side became more involved they took control of the situation and, from the half-hour mark until half time, produced an excellent display of quality rugby.

Paul Aldridge opened Braintree's account when he appeared out on the wing to finish off the move, then John Cable, who dominated the line-outs, won possession again to let Brett Wright attack the blind-side, and Dan Phillips take the pass to dive over the line.

Chris McCann in support, or out of position, was on hand for the next try, and Tom Silva showed his strength and pace to run around the defence for the final try of the half.

From the re-start Braintree continued on in the same vein. Some superb interpassing among the forwards left their visitors flatfooted and, when released to the backs, Jack Gibson had no trouble outpacing the opposition to touchdown for Silva to convert.

This score kicked Chelmsford back into gear again. They dug deep into their resources and once more challenged for possession, and were rewarded when their forwards drove over a five-metre scrum.

The match was much more evenly balanced, but when Mark Wombwell chipped over the advancing defence for Gibson to make a clean catch and run half the length of the pitch to score, and Silva add a second conversion, it was assumed Chelmsford would give up.

However, this spurred them on and, in a final flurry of forward dominated play, they took on the tiring Braintree pack and from a penalty move drove 20 metres over the line for the try, and finish the match looking the better side.

Other result: Chelmsford III 15, Braintree III 6.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.