Stowmarket 23 Chelmsford 32

Chelmsford travelled to Stowmarket on Saturday where the third placed team in the league played the fourth placed team. If Chelmsford were to win they would overtake their rivals. Chelmsford showed considerable skill and solidarity in a game where they conceded 20 penalties against the oppositions 4 penalties, as well as receiving 2 yellow cards. Many teams would have lost their composure under such circumstances but Chelmsford continued to press and defend often when the team must have thought that events had conspired against them.

The dry weather also suited Chelmsford style of fluid handling play and they took the lead after ten minutes when a turned scrum gave space to the backs gave room for Scott James to gallop through a gap to score a fine try which Joel Young converted. Immediately from the kick off Josh Cavey caught the ball on the charge and cannoned through three or four despairing tackles before feeding Jamie Ash who sprinted through to score an impressive try. Chelmsford started to rack up the penalties and it was only a matter of time before some of these were within kicking range and Stowmarket duly scored two to reduce the deficit. Chelmsford forwards were still making headway, backed up by Ben Bayley at scrum half who kicked intelligently in defence throughout the game and fed good ball whenever possible. Just before half time, following a good take in the lineout, three phases of forward drives finished with Will Cooper using his strength to score a converted try.

Half time Stowmarket 6 Chelmsford 19

Stowmarket began to exert more pressure in the second half and after five minutes scored a very good try following some good handling from their forwards which released their centre. They closed the gap even further following a lineout catch and drive. At this stage, with the game not going their way and losing a player for ten minutes, the situation looked ominous for Chelmsford. This was when the team showed real character and togetherness with Cavey in the forefront of all the tackling defence. The game started to change when a wayward kick was gathered by Jamie Morrish at pace who then released, leading try scorer, Jack Acorn to scamper over for a converted try. Stowmarket, however had not finished and Chelmsford were having problems in the tight scrum, Chelmsford were pushed off their own ball and Stowmarket threw the ball wide to score their third try. With ten minutes to go Chelmsford kept their nerve and their work ethic to spend time in the opposition’s half. They were given two penalties which Joel Young, showing no nerves, slotted to give the away team victory.

Next week Chelmsford travel to Diss for the last game of the season Kick Off 3.00pm