Wymondham 9 Chelmsford 7

This was a game played in wet boggy conditions, where often ball retention proved difficult for both sides. There were over 25 penalties awarded during the game equally divided between the teams, which left little room for any cohesive play. In fact, most of the game was played in the middle section of the field and there were few try scoring opportunities for either side.
Chelmsford over recent games have not played with a consistent team due to injury, suspension and other reasons for non availabilty. This lack of team coherence was evident on Saturday.
Chelmsford started the game slowly and did not get into the Wymondham half during the first twenty minutes. Chelmsford’s tackling was resolute and there were few scares for the away team. Eventually Chelmsford did give a penalty away just outside their twenty two and Wymondham’s accomplished flyhalf duly put Wymondham ahead 3-0. This was the only score in a dour first half.

The second half was much like the first mostly played in the middle of the park. The Wymondham flyhalf peppered the Chelmsford defence with high ‘up and under’ kicks which the Chelmsford defence handled brilliantly. Josh Cavey, in the back row, made ground every time he received the ball. Similar to the first half Chelmsford gave away another penalty in a kicking position which the opposition flyhalf duly converted.

It looked like there would be no further scoring as the game went into time added on, but following a run by Jack Acorn, the ball was held up close to the Wymondham line, the maul moved on and Kieran Reece borrowed over the line close to the posts for a try which Joel Young converted. It lookd as if Chelmsford had stolen the game but from the kick off Chelmsford gave away another penalty and the last action of the game saw the ball fly between the Chelmsford uprights for a Wymondham win. It was a disappointing end to a poor overall game of rugby.

Next week Chelmsford take on Wanstead at Coronation park, kick off 2.00pm.