Lowestoft and Yarmouth slipped into the London 2NE danger zone after shipping six tries at Braintree.

With a number of changes L&Y struggled to provide much cohesion on a boggy pitch and Braintree capitalised by poaching two early tries and then picking off mistakes once they were ahead.

Donald McArthur was standing in at fullback and had a nightmare first touch after a sound L&Y start forced Braintree to kick long. The ball slipped from his grasp and the right winger hacked on to score an unconverted try, which was quickly followed by a penalty.

Then L&Y's defence pushed wide from a line-out, allowing the home scrum-half to burst through and he found his winger for a second score. The visitors then had the better of territory and possession, and won the lion's share of the line-out with makeshift jumpers Russ Wilkinson and Kristan Taylor Crisp both showing well. A third try was conceded when the Braintree left wing score out wide, and the half finished with L&Y driving a line-out 20 metres to the line but losing possession at the crucial moment.

The start of the second half gave the impression L&Y were going to get back into the game as some concerted pressure worked space for Callum Cashman to bundle over in the corner. Dave Tiueti failed with the difficult conversion. However poor concentration and even worse tackling allowed Braintree to return the lead to 20 points. Braintree kicked themselves into position near the L&Y line and scored a fifth try. Russ Chapman bundled over for a converted try after some more good work by his forwards but Braintree had the last word with their sixth try.