Chelmsford 29 O. Cooperians 13
London North East 2
Chelmsford won this game comfortably, scoring five tries and earning themselves a bonus point which has lifted them off the bottom of the table and is a continuation of improvement seen in previous weeks
Chelmsford playing up the slope in very cold conditions found themselves behind after ten minutes when a penalty was kicked after Chelmsford were given off side. Chelmsford continue to give too many penalties away in their games, which often gives away points or position on the field.
It was already obvious that Chelmsford had total dominance in the scrums, with the front row outstanding. Following a good transfer of the ball along the backs, Chelmsford were held up a few metres from the line, but concerted pressure saw Crouch use his considerable frame to drive over for an unconverted try. Cooperians then claimed another penalty
Old Cooperians were down to 14 men shortly afterward, when their centre was ‘red carded’ following an off the ball incident. Chelmsford’s prop was also shown a yellow card. By now the Chelmsford back were in full control and Woodward at scrumhalf, who was always in the thick of everything dived over for deserved try. Although in control Chelmsford managed to give seven points away through an interception in the opposition half which allowed the Cooperian centre to score under the posts. Chelmsford’s forwards continued to drive their opposition back and again Woodward sniped in for another try Half time 15-13
The second half saw much of the same tactic, the forwards driving with the ball before releasing the ball to the backs, this saw Wobble drive over for a try and Pottinger score following a catch and drive from a lineout some thirty metres from the try line both tries being well converted by Hoult. The game finished some disarray when Cooperians, having sustained some injuries could not provide a front row so uncontested scrums were invoked. This victory will give Chelmsford heart for the rest of the season, there are a number of lowly placed teams yet to visit Coronation Park and there are a number of players still to return from injury
Director of Rugby Eddie Gooby said after the game . Credit must go to the players they knew this was a must win game and the executed the game plan brilliantly . The front five laid the platform and our work rate in defence was better than it had been all season it was outstanding by all the squad .
This win has done two things for the squad it should give us confidence moving forward and when we look at the league table we are in the mix again .So the next half of the season is all about us and what levels we can achieve

Next week Rochford visit Coronation Park kick off 2.00pm