Chelmsford 1st XV were looking for their first win in 2026 having lost to Woodford on the road the previous week. Despite heavy rain on both Wednesday and Thursday the main pitch was remarkably dry and the stage was set. Chelmsford were looking to avenge defeat against Braintree in October in a vital Regional 2 Anglia league fixture.

Winning the toss Chelmsford decided to kick up the slope with a game plan to keep the ball in hand and defend softly to counteract the Braintree backs. Chelmsford had all the possession in the first ten minutes going through multiple phases of play. The lineout was functioning well, and the first score came when Nick Hankin carried out a kick chase to dive over. Chelmsford 5 Braintree 0

Chelmsford needed to build the scoreboard but in this period of play there were a few examples of ‘white line’ fever. Will Cooper finally decided to take the points as Harry Moseley kicked a penalty. Chelmsford 8 Braintree 0. While Chelmsford had dominated the opening 20 minutes of the game Braintree had other ideas and an interception try by their very talented fly half changed the balance of the game Chelmsford 8 Braintree 7.

A further penalty from the visitors made the half time score Chelmsford 8 Braintree 10 and as both teams returned to the changing rooms all was still to play for.

Now with the slope, Chelmsford looked to play slightly more expansive game. Frank Watkinson was jumping like a salmon in the lineout and Dave Ball pushing like an Ox in the scrum. Both wingers Alex Thompson and James Gadd were looking to get their hands on the ball and centres Bertie Liddell and George Wood creating some space in midfield.

The next try came from the left wing and Alex Thompson. With the ball being moved quickly after four phases, the Chelmsford winger skipped over for an important try. This was unconverted – Chelmsford 13 Braintree 10. Try three came from additional forward pressure that enabled Bertie Linnell to bundle over. Chelmsford 20 Braintree 10.

Braintree now started to play some expansive rugby up the slope. A converted try, a penalty and a try with the conversion being charged down by Nick Hankin, all from the inside centre looked to be a game changer. Chelmsford 20 Braintree 25.

The Chelmsford pack were now dominant in the scrum and deep into added time some great drama unfolded. A scrum penalty saw Harry Moseley kick to the corner. A catch by Watkinson and an impressive drive by the pack saw Joel Barker finally dive over the line after a 15-metre gain. The score level and the conversion to come. Cool as you like, Moseley struck the winning conversion to make the final score - Chelmsford 27 Braintree 25.

Squad – Harry Sturge, Joel Barker, David Ball, Frank Watkinson, Albie Banks, Bayley Eden, Peter Baya, Will Cooper, Joe Styrin, Harry Moseley, Alex Thompson, George Wood, Bertie Liddell, James Gadd, Nick Hankin, Matt Hughes, Harry Campion, Ash Toomey