Harrow 3 Chelmsford 38
(London 1 North league)

Chelmsford recorded back to back victories for the first time in this league with a comprehensive 38 – 3 win over a disappointing Harrow side and in doing so climbed to 9th position in the table and more importantly, 9 points away from Chingford, who are currently sitting in the 3rd relegation spot. This was an important win for the side, who fielded the same 18 players as in the previous week, with consistency in selection becoming a key factor in their change of fortunes. In scoring 4 tries Chelmsford also recorded an important bonus point and wing Jamie Ash was rewarded with a hat trick of tries. However, the win was tempered with loss of influential loose head prop, Stephen Prest, with a torn hamstring injury, which is likely to keep him on the sidelines for up to 5 weeks.

Both sides made the early running with some free flowing rugby, but it was not until 10 minutes into game before Chelmsford were awarded a penalty from an infringement in the scrum, and fly half Simon Hoult was on hand to kick a well taken penalty from 37 metres out to put Chelmsford into a 3 – 0 lead. What followed was a series of penalties given away by Chelmsford in the space of 3 minutes. From the last one of these Harrow had the chance to draw level, but the kick was missed. Once again Chelmsford began to exert pressure on their opponents in the set scrums, but they found themselves on the wrong side of the referee on a number of occasions and their indiscipline led to them giving away 9 penalties in the 1st half. Just after 20 minutes the referee yellow carded prop, Stephen Prest for being off his feet and then minutes later a similar penalty offence saw the home side draw level at 3 points each.

A shoulder injury to 2nd row Nick Sany led him to temporarily leaving the field, but not before a penalty to Chelmsford was reversed for Sany retaliating for the blow received to his shoulder. Matt Lincoln replaced him and the last 10 minutes of the half proved to be fruitful for Chelmsford as Harrow were caught offside and Simon Hoult drilled the ball to within 5 metres of the Harrow line. Another off side infringement saw the Harrow no 8 being yellow carded, so Chelmsford took the scrum option, but the scrum had to be reset, and then from the resultant pressure on the Harrow scrum, it disintegrated and the referee awarded a penalty try which Simon Hoult converted to take Chelmsford into a 10 – 3 lead. Minutes later centre Dan Idundun picked up a loose ball and fed it to wing Jamie Ash, who showed a clean pair of heels to score a well taken try and with Hoult converting, Chelmsford led 17 – 3 at half time.

Just minutes into the 2nd half, wing Jamie Ash went over again, but this time the referee ruled out the try for crossing. At this stage centre Jamie Morrish was replaced by Dominic Dann and then shortly afterwards Stephen Prest left the field with his hamstring injury, which meant that Nick Sany came back on again, with flanker Seth Robinson moving to hooker and hooker Dave Hyett moving across to prop. Even allowing for the injury Chelmsford were still in the ascendency in the scrums. Chelmsford scored their 3rd try when Simon Hoult kicked ahead, the ball was caught by Dominic Dann, and then fed to Dan Idundun, who ran strongly to beat the cover defence, to score a try by the posts which Hoult converted to take Chelmsford into a match winning lead of 24 – 3.

Harrow were now looking a beaten team and when they did get the ball, they were consistently let down by poor handling by both their backs and forwards and didn’t look to have the pace out wide to trouble the visitors. 30 minutes elapsed before Chelmsford scored their 4th and bonus point try when Seth Robinson, who was impressive throughout the game, picked up a loose ball and fed wing Jamie Ash, who ran down the touchline to score by the posts and with Hoult converting, Chelmsford now led 31 – 3. Harrow were then awarded their 2nd yellow card for collapsing the scrum and then Chelmsford scored their 5th and final try, when a poor clearance kick from Harrow, went straight to Jamie Ash and he showed a great turn of pace to beat the cover defence and complete his hat trick of tries, and with Zane Mannan converting, Chelmsford ran out worthy winners by 38 points to 3.

Coach Eddie Gooby said after the game: “This was a massive step forward for the squad. During the week we spoke about this game and what was needed and today the game plan was spot on. When we attacked it was direct and decisive and this aided by a very tight and aggressive defence which smothered Harrow out of the game. After the excitement of the past few weeks this was a workman like performance that shows how far we have come in recent weeks. I still have a few concerns that we are still giving too many penalties at the breakdown and against the top teams this will hurt us on the score board. On behalf of the coaches and players I would like to thank all the supporters who came along on the coach and travelled direct, this makes a massive difference when you hear the support on the sideline.”

Next week sees Chelmsford play Tring, in a game which will undoubtedly prove to be a stern test for the home side. Kick off at Coronation Park is at 2.15pm.