Old Elthamians RFC A v Chelmsford RFC U15 A's

This was the Chelmsford u15s first game against Old Elthamians RFC and a big challenge for the first game of the season - especially given the weather conditions. The Chelmsford u15 A's are not competing in the Essex Leagues this season but will instead be playing a series of friendly test matches against the top teams from other counties. OE's are one of the top teams at u15s in Kent so the boys knew that had to play well.

In the beautiful grounds of Eltham College, Chelmsford started strongly and were camped in the Eltham 22 for much of the the opening quarter of the game. The pressure finally told and Chelmsford got the first score with some determined work by the forwards resulting in space for the backs to exploit. Eltham were strong with ball in hand and once they had it, it was hard to get it back and some sloppy defensive work allowed our hosts to equalise in the second quarter of the game. The first half ended at 5-5.

After the break, Chelmsford pushed hard and this work was rewarded with 2 tries. The first resulting from a lucky bounce from a kick inside the opposition 22 and the other from some slick work from the backs allowing ball to be touched down in the corner. That should have been the game but a combination of heat, a little bit of complacency creeping in and some the changes made by Chelmsford in the last 15 mins of the game not quite paying off allowed the hosts back into the game. A breakaway try re-energised Eltham and they used this to good effect, scoring again shortly after to tie the game.

A draw was a fair reflection of a game that was played in a great spirit. Both sides will feel that they didn't show what they were really capable of and will be looking forward to the return leg at Chelmsford on the 3rd December.