The Ferns have come a long way this season and they were looking forward to testing themselves against Braintree for the second time. In our first encounter back in December we turned up with low numbers and suffered a big defeat. We knew that wasn't a fair reflection of our ability but even with a full match day squad, Braintree would be a very tough opponent.

It was a positive start with the Ferns taking an early lead, but it wasn't long before Braintree struck back. The game was littered with scrums due to the wet conditions but that didn't stop both teams from putting together some great passages of play which kept the scores coming at a steady rate.

It remained close for the majority of the match until Braintree pulled away with 2 unanswered tries. But in the closing stages, the Ferns managed to cross the line again keeping the win within reach at 19-24. With 1 minute remaining they had one final roll of the dice but it wasn't to be.

Congratulations to Braintree on the win. It was a great contest in every way, as confirmed by feedback from both sets of coaches and supporters. A good hard game of rugby, played in good spirits, with both teams walking off the pitch with a healthy respect for one another.

Final score: 19-24