Cantabrigian 7 Chelmsford 13
London North East 2
Chelmsford travelled to Cambridge on Saturday facing a fellow relegation fighting side. Chelmsford, however, are an improving side, as recent results have shown. For long periods of the game the Chelmsford pack dominated their opposition pushing them back in the scrum and keeping possession for long periods of time.
During the first half Chelmsford could have had the game won in the first half an hour, but every time they got within striking distance they gave away penalties, this was particularly frustrating when many of the penalties were given in the scrum and maul only yards from the Cantabs try line. Hoult kicked a penalty after 15 minutes but that was the only score of the half. Cantabs did come back into the game during the latter minutes but good tackling, which generally was a feature of Chelmsford game, kept the opposition at bay. Half time Chelmsford 3 - Cantabs 0
The second half began much like the first, the Chelmsford front row dominating their opposition but the ball released to the backs was very slow. As a consequence the centres and wings saw very little ball and when they did get it they had no space to make progress. Much of the game was spent in the Cantab half and it was no surprise when Sid Hoult converted another penalty. During the last twenty minutes Chelmsford started to kick more effectively. Will Woodward put a deft kick through the defence the ball was won and from the ensuing movement Sid Hoult placed a grubber kick through for Will Ferrier to gather and score a well worked try which Hoult converted.
The game looked over and with the play deep in the Cantabs 22 metre area the Cantabs winger grabbed a loose ball and set off. He outstripped most of the Chelmsford team before passing inside to his centre who went in to score under the posts. It was a very well excecuted try but certainly not what the coaches and large group of travelling supporters wanted to see. During the last few minutes Chelmsford sensibly kept the ball tight and never allowed Cantabs any further chances
This was a valuable win for Chelmsford and takes them up the table away from the relegation zone. The depth of the squad was on display on Saturday with all replacements coming on without weakening the team. Quicker ball must be a requirement in the future, but the pack continues to get stronger
Director of Rugby Eddie Gooby said after the game that he was delighted with the performance and that we dominated large parts of the game . The dominance we had in the scrum should have added to our points tally he felt the at least two penalty try's from the scrum and another from a rolling maul off a lineout were left on the field of play.
Credit to the players they stayed focused on the game and not the decisions being made against them. If we can produce another dominate performance up front this week and future weeks i am sure the pack with get there rewards there hard work has deserved.
We have another big game this weekend so it will be another test of how far we have come in the last few months we are all heading in the right direction . There is a great buzz within the squads and the enjoyment is back

Next Saturday will see the visit of Woodford to Coronation Park kick off 2.00pm