Thurrock RFC 69 Chelmsford RFC 1st XV Men 27

Again, Chelmsford started the game with a much changed team. Although well beaten, they secured a valuable bonus by scoring five tries and went very close on a number of other occasions. Thurrock are a good team with some very good players. Because of the changes in the team, both the set scrum and lineouts were difficult to win for Chelmsford. The Chelmsford backs always tried to move the ball and scored some excellent tries.

The Chelmsford team never let their heads drop and to their, credit out scored their opposition in the final half an hour of the game.
Chelmsford found themselves 43 to 10 down at half time, they had conceded seven tries and scored two tries of their own. Far too often the Thurrock forwards had launched attacks close to the scrum and ruck and had not been tackled early enough to stop them crossing the gain line or force errors from them.

The second half saw Chelmsford under the cosh straight away with Thurrock scoring two early tries, Chelmsford replied with two fine counter attacking tries by skipper Jamie Morrish, which provided Chelmsford with their bonus point. In the final quarter, Thurrock found gaps in the Chelmsford defence to score two further tries before Jack Acorn scored his second try following a deft cross field kick by Jack Lavin which was also converted by Lavin.

Next week will see another stern test for Chelmsford when they take on league leaders Southend at home K.O. 2.15

Match Report by Andy Green