1st XV Men - Brentwood RFC 16 Chelmsford RFC 19

This was Chelmsford’s third win in the last four games and it has been several seasons since Chelmsford beat Brentwood away from home. The game was played with a gale blowing down the slope on a waterlogged surface.

Playing with the slope, Chelmsford used the wind to kick deep into the opposition half and set up position. Early in the game it became obvious that the Chelmsford had the advantage in the set scrum. This dominance led to Brentwood giving several penalties and Jack Lavin duly obliged and kicked four in the first thirty minutes. Jack had an outstanding game scoring all nineteen points. He was well supported by those around him, Alex Hutchinson gets better with every game and Jack Acorn and Lloyd Ellis were excellent in defence especially in the second half.

The forwards were in total control of the first half, until the last ten minutes. Then there were too many penalties given away and a yellow card. Brentwood score a try, out wide following a forward surge. With the elements in their favour in the next half, the balance of the game had swung towards a Brentwood.

Half Time Brentwood 5 Chelmsford 12

The second half began with Brentwood endeavouring to make full use of the wind and slope, kicking deep at every opportunity. Some of the catching in defence by the Chelmsford from high kicks was superb, but penalties given away by the away team still allowed much of the early second half to be played inside the Chelmsford half. Brentwood during this time slotted two penalties to reduce the deficit. The defining moment, came when the battling Chelmsford forwards, got possession in the middle of the pitch, John Warburton rampaged forward twenty metres before laying off to Will Cooper, who made good ground before linking with Jack Lavin, who scored under the posts. Chelmsford controlled the game towards the end by retaining possession as much as possible and went on to gain a fine victory.

Next week will see Chelmsford take on Stowmarket at Coronation Park, kick off 2.00pm

Match Report thanks to Andy Green
Photos by Nigel Wood.

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