This was an excellent game for the neutral to watch with ten tries being scored in a free flowing encounter. Chelmsford will feel that they let Campion get back into the game when they were well ahead. Campion on the other hand showed excellent spirit and skills to force a closer game.

For the first fifteen minutes of this game Chelmsford were on fire, scoring four tries and securing the bonus point within that time. The first two tries were scored by Jamie Ash, who is back to his best following last season’s injuries. The backs inside him made the gaps and Ash using considerable guile and pace finished off the moves. Then it was the turn of Jack Acorn to get on the scoring sheet with two well taken tries, the first from a cross field kick from Matt Jefferson which Acorn brilliantly collected and ran in from forty metres, the second from a quick ruck, where Jobi Fisher made a gap in the Campion defence before feeding Acorn who went in to score a fine try in the corner.

At this stage Chelmsford were dominating in the scrummage but they then started to give away penalties which allowed Campion to get a foothold territorially. They responded with a try, following repeated drives by their forward and after half a dozen rucks, the backrow scored in the corner. It was noticeable at this stage that the Chelmsford first up tackling was not as secure or as aggressive as has seen in some previous games. A second try for Campion was scored when their No 8 picked up the ball at the base of a ruck and ran through a glaring gap. Campion scored a third try when Chelmsford were slow to the break down and tackles were missed close to the scrum for the ball to be placed under the posts

Half Time; Campion 19 Chelmsford 22

The second half began with Campion on the front foot, and they had a good chance to tie the game from a penalty which drifted wide. But as the half continued the Chelmsford forwards showed their worth particularly in the scrum where they pushed the opposition off the ball as they did the whole match. Matt Jefferson, whose confidence improves with every match, kicked sensibly and generally the chase was good.

Chelmsford regained the initiative following a catch and drive from a five yard lineout for Paul Redford to score. Then the ball was relayed wide for Jack Acorn to score in the corner to be excellently converted by Joel Young. Campion did reply with a try in the dying minutes with a forward try which secured their bonus point.

Next week Chelmsford play the league leaders Upminster at Coronation Park kick off 2.00pm.