Stowmarket RFC v Chelmsford RFC 1st XV Men

Chelmsford, without doubt, put up a good display, but will come away knowing this was a game that they should have won. They scored five tries to the oppositions three and for long periods dominated both position on the field and possession.

Chelmsford conceded a try with almost Stowmarket’s first possession, they kicked the ball low through the Chelmsford defence and beat Chelmsford in the run chase to score a converted try. Minutes later, a well struck penalty from forty metres, allowed the accurate boot of the Stowmarket fly half put them further ahead. Chelmsford, still applied pressure, but handling errors, cost them at critical moments. Eventually following a good kick to the corner from Jack Levin, on his debut in the Chelmsford in a Chelmsford shirt, George Wood galloped over after a tap penalty and some good interplay in the forwards.

Chelmsford seemed more in control of both scrum and lineout then in previous games and it was against the run of play, when following a Chelmsford yellow card for a high tackle, Stowmarket struck on the blind side to increase their lead with a converted try. Chelmsford, however, went back on the attack and Ben Cranwell crashed over, following good work from the forwards

Half Time Stowmarket 17 Chelmsford 12

Chelmsford were the first to score, again following some good kicking out of hand by Jack Levin, the ball was won on successive occasions from the ruck and Harry Moseley showed good pace to go over to level the scores. Stowmarket retook the lead with a well struck penalty, before Chelmsford took the lead for the first time, when the ball was fed inside to Levin to score an unconverted try. Stowmarket scored their third try following a number of penalties being awarded against Chelmsford. Stowmarket got good field position, and fed their winger on the blind side to score in the corner for well converted try.

Chelmsford heads did not go down and following several drives and bouts of good handling Kene Eze was released to score to tie the score as the score remained for the last five minutes

Next week Chelmsford are at home to league leaders Woodford - kick off 3.00pm

Match Report by Andy Green.