With two August pre-season games under the belt; a win at home against Old Brentwood’s and an away draw at Southend, we find ourselves in September once again for the 2024-25 edition of how much stress can Brentwood cause me on a Saturday afternoon…

Brentwood’s first fixture of the Regional 2 Anglia season saw them away on a muggy day to the familiar opposition of Woodford. Last season’s visit here resulted in a narrow two-point loss in what can best be described as a turgid affair…and sadly for those hoping for some late summer running rugby, this game started in a similar fashion.

After a stilted first ten minutes, it was Woodford who were to get the opening try of the game. Brentwood had defended well for the most part but had also spent the majority of time in their own half and without the ball, Woodford eventually getting into a good position 5 metres out from Brentwood’s line. A scrum penalty gave them the opportunity to put the ball in the corner and a couple of pick and goes later they bundled over, 5-0 with the conversion missing.

Another 20 minutes elapsed with little of interest to mention (scrum, lineout, penalty, stop in play, repeat) before on the 30-minute mark James Vogel had the dubious honour of opening the yellow card count for the season for an accumulation of team penalties.

It turned out to be a masterstroke, the yellow card seemingly propelling Brentwood into lifting the pace and their game and earning a penalty which was sent into the corner. The lineout didn’t entirely go to plan, but Eamon Tiernan tidied well, two crashes up from Dan Suttle and Tom Fahy taking Brentwood closer to the line before Eamon wrapped round and had the power to bundle over. Sam Cappaert added the conversion, 5-7.

Brentwood’s second followed only three minutes later, a good box kick from Kieran Ballinger following the restart forced Woodford into a hurried return kick and spotting some space wide Brentwood ran it back, Jack Mayes and Alex Roberts combining down the wing to make it up to Woodford’s 22 and earn another penalty. This time Brentwood went quickly via Kieran Ballinger who sent Eamon Tiernan on a blast up the middle. The ball was out of the ruck rapidly and to Tom Fahy who spun through a couple of tackles before offloading to Luke Watson for the try under the sticks. Sam Cappaert’s conversion took the score to 5-14 which is how it remained at half time.

The second half started in a more entertaining fashion, both teams with half opportunities early on, but it was eventually Brentwood who swung the momentum in their favour; a break up the right wing culminating in Woodford seeing yellow and Brentwood with a penalty 5 metres out. The first lineout saw another Brentwood penalty, but the second lineout didn’t quite go to plan and was knocked on. Brentwood’s forwards however made amends with a powerful scrum giving them another penalty before a fourth penalty in the phase after saw the referee send another Woodford player to the bin. Brentwood opted to tap this penalty but got bundled into touch in the corner and it looked for all intents that the opportunity had been lost but this time it was Woodford’s lineout that went awry, Will McArthur collecting at the back with a clear run straight to the tryline. Sam Cappaert added the extras, 5-21.

As in the first half, Brentwood’s fourth try followed tout suite and was a beautiful way to grab a bonus point. The restart was well taken, and James Vogel took it up one more before Sam Cappaert spotted that Woodford had got very narrow in defence and Luke Watson (Essex’s fastest policeman, apparently this is an official stat…) was milling about in a lot of space on the wing. Sam put the crossfield kick over which Luke regathered on the bounce before evading Woodford’s first onrushing defender, escaping the clutches of a second and final stepping a third to go over for his second of the game. Sam once again knocked the conversion over, 5-28.

Brentwood rounded off this mad six-minute golden period with their fifth and final try after Woodford’s restart was too short and gave Brentwood a middle of the pitch attacking scrum. The ball went across to the right wing and whilst it did go loose was well tidied by Liam Power who reset before Alfie Adams and Tom Fahy made more good ground. Woodford had again got a bit narrow on the wide left and Sam Cappaert drifted that way, delaying the pass to put Eamon Tiernan through a big gap, Eamon with the pace to make it to the line and also score his second of the day. Sam completed a perfect 100% with the boot too, 5-35.

Woodford did add to their try count about ten minutes later having gone through various phases around Brentwood’s 22 before a strong break from their centre saw him bustle over in the corner and take the score to 10-35 which is how it stayed until the full time whistle.
For Brentwood, whilst a slow start with some early season rustiness to clear, an opening day bonus point win at somewhere that has not been easy to play at in the last few seasons is an excellent way to start the season.

Unfortunately, with the withdrawal of Dagenham from the league, Brentwood’s first home game of the season is no more (although hopefully a friendly fixture can be found!) so the next league fixture will be away at Eton Manor on 21st September. Manor also got their season off to a winning start with a 34-24 win over Harlow and, as ever, will likely be a tough place to visit.