There is no easy way to get from Romford to Braintree. To be precise, it is quite easy to get to Braintree. You follow the signs helpfully marked Braintree. The difficult bit is leaving Romford. Our historic market town is a gravity well for traffic, centred round the powerful black hole at Gallows Corner. Luckily the Tree is a hospitable club, with a lot of beer to dispense to thirsty travellers.

Romford’s faithful surely cannot have expected Park to match the style of last week’s glorious victory over South Woodham, but several made the trip. George Smith’s baby even made a first appearance on the touchline. All were astonished to see Nanny kitted out in a hat, and preparing to play on the wing. Nanny is Park’s only licensed provider of wise advice to young men. Was it wise to risk him like this? Luckily he made it through without injury – and managed to put in a couple of trademark big hits. He will tell you all about them, if you ask…

George Smith put over an early penalty, but Braintree soon replied, running straight through the middle of our defence. 7-3. An extended period of pressure by the Tree on our line brought its reward, and Park were now 12-3 down.

We then pulled one back, showing unusual composure for this year. A penalty gave us a line-out in the corner. Farmer Sam Wakeley threw straight, and our pack rumbled a maul towards the line. When the ball came out, some quick hands along the backs put Professor Ryan Blinkhorn over in the corner. 12-8.

Braintree replied with a penalty, but Park again made their way up the pitch, and the pack managed a satisfactorily ugly try. Luke Izatt touched down, his second try in successive games. At 15-13, Park were doing rather well, playing like we did in the first half of the season, taking our few chances and keeping in touch. Our pack were well on top, pushing the Tree off the ball. Elliot Collier had a good outing at 10, using his boot well and keeping calm when put under pressure.

Sadly Park now reverted to their 2023 selves, Braintree dominated and scored two tries before half time, one of them a lovely little chip over the top. 27-13.

Braintree scored a lucky try early in the second half when Park charged down a kick and the ball fell just right for the Braintree player to run through and score. So at 34-13 Park were out of the game, but a quick switch to their 2022 selves brought two tries for Micky James, and a welcome bonus point. During this period we probably played our best rugby this year, putting together a string of phases and retaining the ball well.

Park tired visibly in the last ten minutes, and started making mistakes, and conceding penalties. But desperate covering and some last ditch tackles kept Braintree out. Poor decision-making by the Tree backs also butchered three chances. Their only reward for a period of extended dominance was a penalty.

So the game ended 37-25, which was a fair reflection of the game. Park lost the last game of the season, and will have to wait at least till September for the first win of 2023. It was a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde effort by Park, but during the Jekyll bits we played our best rugby this year.