This was a strange game in many ways, Chelmsford were 29 points in the lead after half an hour, playing fast open direct rugby with their forwards dominating the opposition. Whether the team thought the game was over at this stage might have been the case but Walden to their credit fought back and at one stage had erased the deficit to ten points.

It was a windy and cold afternoon but this did not stop the Chelmsford side from playing open attacking rugby straight from the first whistle. Chelmsford first try was a well worked move with No 8 Tom Gallagher bursting on to ball following ‘a miss move’. Next it was Jamie Ash and Jack Acorn getting together to release Joel Young to finish off for a try. Acorn was on the scoreboard for the third try, bringing himself to the third position in try scoring in the history of the Chelmsford club.

At this stage Chelmsford were dominating in the pack, indeed pushing Walden off the ball in the set scrum, Chelmsford’s lock Stewart Fraser, new to the team, having a fine game. From this pressure, Scott James using his characteristic bulldozing style went in for the fourth try. Then George Wood showing real pace came through to score. This made the score 29-0, two conversions having been kicked by Joel Young. Just before half time Walden gained two penalties which they kicked for position setting up a rolling maul which they scored.

Half time Walden 7 Chelmsford 29

Chelmsford, started the second half poorly, giving too many penalties away and losing their domination in the scrum. Walden made good use of these penalties and pinned the Chelmsford team back in their own twenty two, where their forwards made inroads into the Chelmsford defence giving the opportunity to score two tries.
Eventually Chelmsford did gain some composure and a quick feed from Young gave Ash the chance to show his speed and elusiveness to score Chelmsford’s final try. Walden never gave up an scored again in the final minutes.

Next week Chelmsford play hosts to Ipswich K.O. 2.30