Park Beat Braintree To Get Back To Winning Ways

(photo to come.)

Romford made the trip to Braintree for this weekends fixture, after the disappointment of Wanstead 2 weeks Romford regrouped and come out more positive than in previous weeks. The boys walked out onto the pitch in their new shirts looking the real deal as the set up for the kick off. Braintree (Black and Yellow quartered shirts) kicked off with Romford receiving (now in the Purple and Black hoops).

Both teams boasted a mixture of player types with both teams having large packs and a quick backline setting the stage for a closely contested encounter. The game kicked off with the ball dropping short and Romford having to scramble on to the ball, despite the fact Park retrieved the ball they still looked scrappy on the ball and took a little while to settle down.

However the game was contested the game in the middle of the pitch with George Bristow, Luke Metcalf and Owen Flower solid in the back line not allowing Braintree to crash through. Every time the ball hit the ground the forwards were over the ruck and contesting, with some big steals from Thayne Henwood set Romford up for a variety of opportunities and it wasn't too before Bailey Finlayson broke to open the scoring, try converted by Ryan Blinkhorne.

The game restarted and both teams weren't giving the other an inch and the cold and damp conditions were making handling a real issue. Not willing to let the other team into the game both teams were holding their own scrums so it was going to be minimal mistake before someone was going to grab a try but Tom O'Meara was unlucky not to score from a breakaway but it was Park that pounced on a drop ball to spread wide to allow Finlayson to touchdown to extend Romfords lead to 12-0 which they took into half time.

Half time - Braintree 0 RGP 12

Braintree were keen to utilise their whole squad of 22 players and made changes consistently throughout the game, whereas Park were able to use their only sub by giving a debut to Torez Polius. The game resumed and again it was evenly contested but the fresher legs of Braintree allowed them to keep maintaining a high pressure. Romford dug deep with a couple of try saving tackles from Ben Walton but were unable to stop a Braintree player crashing over the line from half a yard out. Score 12-7.

The Romford of old would have caved in at this point but the boys looked positive with Bobby Watts dictating at 9 and turned the game back round and it was Finlayson who slipped through again to touch down to increase Parks lead which was further increased by a second conversion of the day to give Park a 19-7 lead.

With 15 minutes left a seesaw of a second half saw the hosts turn over the ruck after a fantastic take from Polius to break and to bring the game back within 5 points (Braintree 14 RGP 19). Seeing a way back into the game Braintree continued to push giving a nervy end to the game. Camping themselves in Parks 22 a dropped ball gave Braintree a chance to retain the scrum and drive over, but Romford brilliantly stole the scrum with a large push from Lewis Potter, Thayne Henwood and Shaun Kerr and kicked the ball out for Park to walk away with a 19 - 14 victory.

Final Score: Braintree 14 RGP 19

Braintree - 14

RGP - 19
Tries - Finlayson (3)
Cons - Blinkhorne (2)

The boys played really well and gave a good team performance. However much work is needed ahead, but we know that are all capable of improving vastly- Bring on next week!

Christmas Run In

14th Woodford - League (Home)

21st Maldon - Friendly (Home) - Can all supporters please put on their Christmas jumpers for our last game of the year.