This top of the table clash could have gone either way, Chelmsford were not in the lead in the match until the last two minutes and at one stage they were 14 points adrift from their oppositions score. Chelmsford hit the post three times from conversions or penalties, Epping hit the post once from a penalty. It was an exciting game which kept the supporters of both teams riveted till the final whistle.
Playing up the slope against the wind in the first half it was never going to be easy for Chelmsford. Initially Chelmsford put up a stern defence but after fifteen minutes a kick out from defence was gathered by the Epping fullback who made a telling run and shrewd kick to score under the posts, within in minutes Epping had smacked the post with a penalty and scored a second try following a throw to the front of the lineout. Chelmsford found themselves 14-0 with twenty minutes gone and it looked ominous for Chelmsford. This season the drive by the forwards around the rucks and mauls has been excellent, again with Redford, Payne and Pottinger in the lead they started to make ground and cause the opposition to give away penalties. From one such penalty, Scott James, who had a good game with the boot, kicked the ball close to the try line and the subsequent catch and drive from the lineout saw Nick Crouch go in for an unconverted try. A few minutes later in a similar situation, saw Nick Crouch pirouette and drive for an unconverted try and then Joel Young kick a well taken penalty from 40m out.

Half Time: Chelmsford 13 Epping 14

The game now was there now for the taking for Chelmsford, having both wind and slope. It was Epping who were next to score following some loose passing by the Chelmsford team and the ball was intercepted for a converted try. Chelmsford were soon back on the attack when the ball was spread wide for Marcus Pottinger to score a try and Joel Young to convert with a long low kick.
With fifteen minutes to go the game looked as it was going Epping’s way when Mitch Sinfield the Epping No 8 broke through to score their fourth converted try. As has been the case on a number of occasions this season Chelmsford showed good character and came back with another try for Marcus Pottinger following excellent work from the forwards. The entire Chelmsford team now were totally galvanised and after a number of close calls, the ball was fed to Scott James at pace, who plummeted over for a converted try. This was an important win for Chelmsford over the league leaders. Epping will look back and think they should have done more in the latter parts of the first half. Certainly the Chelmsford players were elated at the final whistle to win in such a close game.

Next week Chelmsford visit Kings Cross Steelers