Round 6 - Chelmsford 17, Thurrock 40

On Saturday, Chelmsford played host to Thurrock in the 6th round of London Regional 2 Anglia League matches. Thurrock kicked off, going down the slope and although Chelmsford fielded the ball well, they were unable to make any territory and eventually conceded a penalty for not releasing after only 2 minutes of play. The Thurrock fly half, who kicked well all game, found touch 5 metres from the Chelmsford line. A clean catch and drive resulted in a converted try to make it 0-7.

The next 15 minutes saw both sides trying to break the defensive lines and both sides conceding a number of penalties. After 17 minutes the Thurrock three-quarters were able to put together a good move to construct a well-deserved try to make the score 0-12.

After half an hour, Chelmsford conceded another penalty for holding on and again the kick found touch near the Chelmsford line to produce a good line out, catch and drive for the third try, this time converted to make the score 0-19. Six minutes later, Chelmsford conceded a penalty for a high tackle. Again the ball was sent into touch near the Chelmsford line and although the initial drive was held up by the defence, a Thurrock forward broke off the back of the maul to score another converted try.

Just before half time, Jamie Morrish mad a good break but the final pass was poor, enabling the visitors to defend their line. The half time whistle followed shortly afterwards with the score 0-26.

The second half started brightly for Chelmsford with some good inter-passing, finishing with Jamie Morrish sending Jack Acorn in for a try, converted by Matt Jefferson. Thoughts of a comeback soon diminished with some poor defence by Chelmsford and pressure from Thurrock, enabling their fly half to run through and score a converted try to make the score 7-33.

The referee’s patience was being tested with numerous penalties conceded by both sides and eventually yellow cards were shown to players of each side. A good break by Jack Bennett almost resulted in a try, but unfortunately he lost the ball just short of the line. Chelmsford were now putting together some good attacking moves and James Allway scored a try wide out, which was not converted.

Thurrock came back and following some poor tackling by Chelmsford, the visitors scored another converted try. In the final minutes of the game, Chelmsford took a quick tap penalty and Lloyd Ellis went over for an unconverted try to make the final score 17-40.

On the plus side, the set scrums were very solid apart from one heel against the head and the line outs were working well for the first three quarters of the game with Kene Eze taking some good catches. Chelmsford’s tackling needs to improve as too many times they were just bouncing off their opposite number and there was a lack of penetration in most of the attacking moves. Both sides were guilty of conceding too many penalties, which did not allow the game to flow.

Next Saturday, Chelmsford travel to Southend to play the league leaders, kick off 3.00 pm

Match Report by Ian Stuart. Massive thank you to Brian Purdy for his superb photos of both matches.