BRENTWOOD eased past newly promoted Basildon with a comprehensive 22-5 win at the weekend.
Due to injuries, director of rugby Steve Killington brought in Matt Northall and himself to replace Jack Springall and Tom King.
Apart from a wet and muddy pitch, conditions were excellent as Brentwood kicked off downhill. Brentwood were soon into the attack with skipper Josh Woodcock breaking to Basildon's line.
However, bad passing prevented a first score.
The home side maintained their initial pressure and a great inter-passing move by forwards and backs led to a final off-load to coach Killington for a try. Dan Whitehead missed the conversion but Brentwood were ahead 5-0.
The early play was all from Brentwood but poor control snuffed out any scoring chances.
However, following another incursion into Basildon's 22, an unmarked John Beith picked up from the base of a scrum and charged over the line for Brentwood's second try. Unconverted, the home side were now comfortably 10-0 ahead.
A lone break by Basildon's blind-side flanker was the visitor's only dangerous attack in the first quarter.
Into the second quarter, Brentwood were cruising in second gear with a string of poor passing and knock-ons preventing any further scoring.
However, a clean break by fly-half Declan Gillet followed by a good off-load to Aaron Stanier saw the centre touch down for Brentwood's third try. Again unconverted, the home side were now 15-0 ahead.
Brentwood were now well in control. A long break by flanker Chris Stewart saw scrum-half Luke Green brought down just short of the line. With the pack harrying Basildon's ball, the game was virtually finished when full-back Anthony Poole scored from 30 metres. Whitehead kicked the conversion to take his team into a 22-0 lead at half time.
The first half was dominated by Brentwood. However, a lack of control at critical times and a failure to build phases allowed their opponents to stay in the game. Four tries in the half had given the home side a bonus point.
The second half started badly for Brentwood. From a Basildon penalty and line-out, the Brentwood defence was found lacking and the opposition's left winger scored an unconverted try in the corner.
The game became one of possession by Basildon. However, Brentwood's defence was adequate and play got bogged down mainly in the home side's half. With a large crowd watching, there was little excitement during the final half-hour.
Brentwood were highly satisfied with the 22-5 result and coach Killington was delighted with five league points, making an impressive haul of 18 points from the last four games.
Of the 14 games Brentwood have played to date, nine have been won, one drawn, and four lost, achieving an impressive fifth place in the league. Only three teams, Bury St Edmunds, Eton Manor and Letchworth have heavily defeated Brentwood.
After the Christmas break, the prospect looks bright with the development of the younger and less experienced players coming on apace.
Brentwood's squad is not based on stars. Its success is due to a team ethos, backed by the coaching staff of Steve Killington and Elliot Shaw, and further backed by a keen band of supporters.
