Chelmsford 2nd XV 31 Harlow 2nd XV 31

Having drawn in the last minute of the game last weekend against Westcliff there was a touch of 'déjà vu' at Coronation Park on Saturday. Harlow were the visitors. Second versus third in a game that would help determine who would finish second in Essex Merit Table 1.

With both Toomey brothers, Rhys Salmon and Marc Pluck all back in the starting line up, team confidence was high as the Blueboys B XV started like a train. Salmon crashed over for the first try and Ash Toomey scored a great team move that saw the ball pass through many sets of hands to put Chelmsford into an early lead. Chelmsford 14 Harlow 0.

At this stage of the game everything that Chelmsford tried was coming off. James McLaughlan was now calling the shots and try number three again came from Ash Toomey. At this stage in the match there only looked to be one winner but the sign of a good side up against it always digs deep when under the 'cosh'. The Red Men got on the scoresheet with a forward drive to make the score Chelmsford 21 Harlow 5.

Ross Toomey and Matt Stokes make some fine runs in the last quarter of the half but just failed to find the final pass. Ash Toomey however scored his third try of the half and at half time the score read Chelmsford 26 Harlow 5.

The next 40 minutes turned out to be the most eventful of the season to date, as Harlow came to life playing down the slope. The powerful Harlow forwards were moving the ball at close quarters and were the next to score. Matt Jefferson was the final Chelmsford player to dot down and with 20 minutes to go the score read Chelmsford 31 Harlow 17.

With still a two try advantage, Chelmsford needed to see out the game but at this stage Harlow had the momentum. A well executed try by the Harlow winger from a cross field kick made the score Chelmsford 31 Harlow 24. As the clock was ticking the referee made a big decision by yellow carding captain Alex Gardner as he couldn't identify a Chelmsford player who had made a high tackle!

Down to 14 men and a scrum five to defend. As the Harlow number eight barged over in front of the posts and a straight forward conversion to follow the 'déjà vu' had arrived. Harlow had snatched a drew in the final play much to the disappointment of the Blueboys.

Squad - Forwards - Ugo Eze, George Moorcroft, Charlie Walubita, Alex Gardner, Harrison Thomas, Marc Pluck, Rhys Salmon, Matt Jefferson - Backs - Tom Allway, James McLaughlan, Ross Toomey, Ash Toomey, Matt Stokes, Charlie Sims, Max Williams - Finishers - Jamie Calver, Regardo Pedro, Jack Sims, Justin Young, Joe Styrin, Jonathon Cubit.