Wanstead 31 Chelmsford 24
London North East 2
Chelmsford travelled to Wanstead on Saturday and under wet conditions came close to gaining a win against the third placed team in the league. Chelmsford were 12 to nil up within the first ten minutes. Firstly after a five meter scrum and excellent drive, Will Cooper put the ball down over the line from the back row and then Jack Acorn caught a deft kick from Sid Hoult in an attacking run to score a well taken converted try.
Wanstead struck back almost immediately, when their centre went through following a string of poor tackles by the Chelmsford defence. Chelmsford continues to press, Tom Day caught a defence kick and rapidly made ground before making a long pass to Tom Acorn, he had his brother Jack outside who went in to score a well converted try. The half saw Chelmsford leading 19 -7 although they lost Myles Reagan to injury at the end of the half.
As soon as the game resumed Wanstead were the more aggressive and Chelmsford’s tackling close to the scrum was poor. They allowed Wanstead to score a ‘soft’ try by allowing the Wanstead back row to run through the middle of the Chelmsford defence. Then after securing great ball from their opponents throw in the lineout close to their own line they threw the ball away for their opponents to drive over. A third try in the half by Wanstead, following a lineout and drive; put the home side seven points in front. With five minutes to go Chelmsford came back again and following a chip kick by Sid Hoult, Will Ferrier caught the ball and plummeted over for an unconverted try. With seconds to go and Chelmsford were chasing the game and a speculative pass was intercepted by Wanstead to score wide out.

Director of Rugby Eddie Gooby was very optimistic after the game he said coming to the team that are third in the league and at times out playing them and coming away with two points is the least the boys should have got.
For fifteen minutes in the second half we went away from our game plan and dropped in our intensity in the contact area and we paid the price. Three months ago we would have allowed this game to run away from us but today show how far we have come and the way the boys regrouped and came back strong towards the end was a credit to everyone.
We have 4 games left three at home it a case that we need to focus and fight for every point available
Chelmsford have four more games left this season and next week will see Ipswich visit Coronation Park in a rearranged game . Kick off 3.00pm