Chelmsford overcame spirited opponents in a compelling encounter at Coronation Park. Chelmsford’s only loss this season was away to East London and to remain on top of the league a win was essential.

Chelmsford were seven points down after two minutes when a cross field kick into the try area was not grounded by the Chelmsford defence and the East London winger had the easiest of jobs to pounce on the ball to score a converted try. The Chelmsford team were quick to reply when Paul Redford was on the end of a rolling maul to score an unconverted try. From the kick off, Chelmsford failed to catch the ball, the ball bounced and the East London winger gathered the ball to score the simplist of tries.

Again. Chelmsford replied immediately when the Chelmsford pack drove their opposition off the ball from a set scrum for Warren Woodward to go over for a converted try, Throughout the season we have seen the Chelmsford pack dominate in the set scrums, this was the case again on Saturday. Chelmsford were now playing some very good rugby with some sweeping moves all played at pace and intensity. They took the lead when the ball was relayed quickly to Jack Acorn who went over for Matt Jefferson to convert. Jamie Ash was now on the score sheet when close to the line Callum Booth took a scrum against the head and the ball was quickly fed to Jamie Ash who powered over for a converted try.

Chelmsford now started to give too many penalties away, playing up hill and against the wind, it allowed East London to kick for position and get close to the Chelmsford try line. Chelmsford did not help themselves with some poor handling in defence and subsequently East London went over in a driving maul for a converted try.

Half time Chelmsford 26 East London 19

With the wind and slope it might have been expected that Chelmsford would ‘run away’ with the game but East London put up a real fight, with wave after wave of attacking rugby. Chelmsford stood up to this onslaught with impressive tackling. Again, they did not always help themselves by giving away too many penalties and kicking from hand indifferently. Eventually Chelmsford did get into the East London twenty two, following a blistering run by Jamie Ash, a penalty was awarded which Jefferson kicked and with the last move of the game Woodward found a gap close to the scrum to dive over.

This was a game where Chelmsford at times played some excellent controlled rugby but at the same time gave away tries and chances to the opposition. East London certainly never gave up and gave a really good second half performance against the elements, but very well defended by Chelmsford.

Director of Rugby, Kev Blackmore summed up the vicotry "We were guilty, particualry in the backline, of relying on our individual talent at times and didnt always connect as an attacking unit today. Weve shown in previous games that when we work together, we can tear teams apart so we need to learn that lesson from today" "Our pack were immense once again and our front row picked their scrum apart at will" "Fair play to East London, second half they threw the kitchen sink at us, but our players stood firm and put in an incredible shift in defence" "Some of our tackling was absolutly brutal and as the 2nd half wore on East Londons frustration grew" " Once the opposition start whinging, you know you've got them where you want them!" "To pick up 5 points and deny them any was hugely satisfying." "Our side will get better and we will need to go up another gear against Harlow next week" "Harlow are undenyably the most complete side we've played this season and provide threats throughout their team, the lads will need to be at their absolute best if we're to pick up the win thats for sure!"

Next week Chelmsford, on top of the league, take on Harlow who are second away at Latton Bush Park Harlow kick off 2.00pm