This was a pulsating game of rugby, where the lead changed six times and Chelmsford secured victory with the last kick of the game. Chelmsford played up the slope against the wind in the first half and a penalty awarded against Chelmsford from thirty yards was sweetly struck by the talented Walden fullback. At this stage Chelmsford were getting some good ball from their forwards and they came straight back with a try following a break by Joel Young and a fine relay of the ball to Jack Acorn to score in at the corner. Chelmsford continued to give too many penalties away, a feature of their game which needs attention, this alongside some sarcastic quips does not aid their penalty count. Two such penalties in quick succession gave the visitors a 9-5 lead after 20 minutes.

Although Walden had the upper hand in the set scrum Ben Bayley at scrum half often made it difficult for his opposite number and on one such occasion, he hampered the Walden player and gained excellent turnover ball which was quickly relayed along the backs for Acorn to score in the corner. Joel Young who had an excellent game throughout converted with a well taken kick and then scored a penalty from forty yards against the wind at the end of the half.

Half Time Chelmsford 15 Walden 9

With the wind and slope, Chelmsford may have thought they had the game won but Walden were a highly spirited and talented team. Chelmsford could not get enough ball to feed their talented back division and consequently journeys into the opposition’s half were few and far between. Too many penalties were given away, from the scrummage, where they often retreated in some disarray. They also lost two players with yellow cards which did not help their cause. Two such penalties were struck by the Walden fullback to give them a 16-15 lead, before Young hit a 45metre kick to restore the lead for Chelmsford taking it to .

The last 15 minutes were a dramatic finale, firstly following constant pressure by Walden, their backrow forward came bursting through to score a converted try to regain the lead 18-21. At last Chelmsford relayed the ball wide and at pace and Acorn with plenty to do went in at the corner to make it 23-21 with less than five minutes to go. Walden straight from the kick off and scored following a long pass to their winger in at the corner, to take it to 28-23.

Chelmsford’s passion and commitment however could not be denied and with the final seconds ebbing away they put a final assault on the Walden line. A penalty was awarded five yards out and Scott James astutely took a quick one and barged his way to the line taking several of the defenders with him the quick ball was relayed to Young who went for the line close to the posts and just made it. The try was converted and the final whistle blew. A breath-taking finish.

Final score30-28

Next Week Chelmsford visit the League Leaders Ipswich.