Unfortunate loss for Blue Boys leaves squad looking to regroup ahead of Intermediate Vase Cup Semi Final

The first and second in the league played each other on Saturday and although Chelmsford won the corresponding game at home in October, Epping won this game with a lot to spare. For the first half it was a close encounter; Chelmsford were penalised on a number of occasions in good positions and that allowed Epping to clear their lines. The first score came after twenty minutes’ play, when a long clearance by Epping was knocked forward by Chelmsford and, from the resultant scrum, the Epping fly-half side stepped over the line without a hand being placed on him. Five minutes later, Epping pulled further ahead, following a catch and drive from a lineout.
Chelmsford were not out of the game though and Scott James, coming back into the squad following injury, scored an excellent individual try. He was fed the ball quick on the half way line and beat the covering defence for a converted try. Just before half time Chelmsford gave away a soft try, when a loose ball was picked up on the half way line and Epping managed to run in for a try with a couple of decent passes. Half time Epping 19 Chelmsford 7.
The second half was dominated by Epping; they were quicker to the break down, dominated the lineout, and put the Chelmsford set scrum under pressure. Epping scored a further four tries, all of which were converted. Chelmsford’s heads never dropped and a number of the Epping scores were very well executed, including an audacious pass from behind one their centres’ back; but two tries were self-inflicted by poor defensive play by Chelmsford.
After a series of consecutive losses, Chelmsford will have to regroup for next Saturday’s Intermediate Vase Cup semi final game against West Norfolk at Coronation Park - kick off 2.00pm.