Chelmsford 1st XV Men 16 Stowmarket RFC 5

This was Chelmsford’s fourth win in the last five games and has moved them well out of the relegation zone. This was a hard fought win under wet and windy conditions. Coach Chris Green and his team must be delighted with the improvements shown in recent weeks and this was evident in excellent defensive performance, whenever Stowmarket tried to make inroads with the ball but were denied by some excellent tackling across the team.

Playing up the slope and against the wind in the first half, Chelmsford spent the first twenty minutes encamped in their own twenty two area. They defended determinedly but it looked as they would go points down from a penalty near the post, but was missed, however the resultant kick was picked up by the Stowmarket fly half on the burst who escaped a couple of tackles to score a very good try.
Chelmsford gradually, during the half, moved onto the ascendancy, the scrum was dominating their opposition and with seconds to go of the half, George Wood drove over for a unconverted try

Half Time; Chelmsford 5 Stowmarket 5

The second half saw much more attacking play from Chelmsford and within ten minutes they had taken the lead when Jimmy Allway was released after some good handling to score in the corner. Stowmarket continued to press but could find no way through. Chelmsford also made many dangerous incursions with Will Cooper making many bursts through the oppositions tackling, he had a fine game. Eventually, this pressure resulted in penalties which Jamie Morrish duly converted. Chelmsford controlled the closing stages of the half and ran out comfortable winners.

Chelmsford now have a two week break and their next game will be against Woodford on the 6th of January

Match Report by Andy Green
Photos by Nigel Wood