Epping and Upper Clapton 44 Chelmsford 12
London North East 2

Chelmsford began the game playing into a strong wind. They had some success in the first twenty minutes keeping the ball in hand and driving the ball through the forwards and were leading 5-3. Will Ferrer having picked up a loose ball and sprinted in from 60 meters to score an opportunist try from one of the best players on the Chelmsford side. Shortly after this unconverted try Upper Clapton scored their second penalty and then for the rest of the half the Chelmsford team were under the cosh.
Upper Clapton scored their first try after they won a scrum against the head and their number 8 broke through an open Chelmsford defence. The kick was converted from wide out in a howling gale. The Upper Clapton kicker had an excellent conversion ratio, throughout the afternoon despite the conditions. As has been the case for much of the season the tackling around the fringes of the scrum was inconsistent combined with the lack of speed to the breakdown allows for easy ground to be given to the opposition.
Upper Clapton scored two further tries in the half, both which could have been avoided, if the kicking had been better and if they had maintained there first twenty minutes strategy of keeping the ball at all cost, avoiding losing the ball in the tackle, and not trying to off load the ball in impossible circumstances. Also, worrying for Chelmsford was the carrying off of Ben Bayley with a knee injury just before half time, Half Time score 25-5
Chelmsford did not make as much use of the wind as Upper Clapton and were soon defending in their own half and after several scrums on their own line conceded a try scored by the opposition back row. Another try was conceded following a line break and the winger went in for a brilliantly converted try.
Chelmsford did score again, when Warren Woodward burst through a gap after a number of five meter scrums. Warren showed a great amount of spirit and talent when he came on for the injured Bayley.
The last Upper Clapton try followed a lineout, from which they drove over from 10meters.Chelmsford were beaten by a better more committed team on the day but they contributed to their loss by some poor decision making, skills technique and not sticking to a game plan.
Next week Chelmsford play Sudbury at home kick off 3.00pm