JUNIOR RUGBY

Woodford 43
Braintree 8
(Junior Rugby U16s) WOODFORD U16s side became the undefeated league champions of Essex with this resounding win over last year's league winners.

The hosts (pictured) opened the scoring after back row David Spencer followed up a kick from James Hardcastle.

The forwards quickly released the ball and Will Evans beat the Braintree defence to score under the posts. Evans converted his own try.

It was not long before Will Degan added a second try following some slick passing Carl Dobrin and Tom Alligan.

Straight from the restart, captain Joe Barns collected the kick and ran nearly 70-yards before off-loading the ball for Eli Dias, to score.

Braintree narrowed the score with a penalty and try, but any chance of a revival were ended when Tom Alligan scored Woodford's fourth try, and just before half time Rory Uwin, got the ball over the line for another memorable try.

In the second half Woodford changed almost half the team but continued to dominate the game.

Richard Dodd accelerated quickly through the gap to score from close range and Evans grabbed his second try of the afternoon.

Woodford play Brentwood at home, in the semi-final of the Essex Cup on Sunday March 16, hoping to clinch a league and cup double.