Chelmsford 1st XV Men v Southend Saxons RFC

LONDON REGIONAL 2 ANGLIA LEAGUE
CHELMSFORD 18, SOUTHEND SAXONS 38

What a difference a week makes! Chelmsford travelled to Southend to play the League leaders with most supporters fearing the worst. However, the tackling was greatly improved and the passing was a lot quicker and crisper, enabling ground to be made beyond the gain line. Discipline was also a great deal better with the penalty count 15-5 in Chelmsford’s favour. The result was a very entertaining game of rugby with only one point between the teams, shortly after half time.

The hosts kicked off and within a minute had lost a player to injury and had to reorganise the team. After 7 minutes, Southend were awarded a scrum and with a quick heel, some good passing, enabled their winger to go over for a converted try, to make the score 7-0. From the restart, Chelmsford attacked and were awarded 2 penalties in quick succession, the latter one being converted by Jamie Morrish to reduce the deficit to 7-3.

After a period of play in which both sides were unable to make much ground, Southend turned over a Chelmsford ruck, and created an overlap in the three-quarters for their winger to score an unconverted try, wide out. Three minutes later an error in the Chelmsford defence allowed the home team to extend their lead to 19-3, with a converted try.

Chelmsford were still taking every opportunity to attack and following a good line out and driving maul, the ball was released to the backs, where Lloyd Ellis, with a good line, sliced through the defence to score a try, converted by Jamie Morrish, to make the score 19-10. Further attacks by Chelmsford, including a very good scissors move between Lloyd Ellis and Joel Pearson came to nothing but just before half time, Chelmsford were awarded a penalty, which Jamie Morrish kicked to bring the half time score to 19-13.

In the first minute of the second half, Chelmsford produced a great attacking move, culminating in George Wood making a break and passing to Ben Cranwell to score an unconverted try and bring the score to 19-18. Both sides were trying to get superiority by kicking for position and then the turning point came after 17 minutes, when Southend were attacking the Chelmsford goal line, the referee deemed a Chelmsford player had made a high tackle and awarded a penalty try to Southend and also yellow carded the Chelmsford player.

With the visitors now a player short, the home team took advantage and following a period of pressure, their fly half went over for a converted try to make the score 33-18. Another good backs move by the home team created another try, 10 minutes from the end to bring the final score to 38-18.

Chelmsford can hold their heads up high with a great improvement in all areas compared to the previous week. Set scrums were solid; the line out worked well the majority of the times and most of all teamwork was a lot better with everyone playing their part.

The next game will be on Saturday, 4th November, when Chelmsford will play hosts to Norwich, kick off 2.30 pm.

Match Report kindly provided by Ian Stuart.
Thank you to Nigel Wood for the fantastic photos. More can be found on the club's facebook page.