Having travelled to Ipswich last week to play the undefeated league leaders and narrowly losing by the odd point in 41, it was now time to meet Woodford, who were second in the table and also undefeated.
This game should have been played on 2nd October, but due to a positive Covid test in the Woodford playing squad, was postponed and rearranged for this week.

Chelmsford kicked off, going down the slope, with a very good kick by Jobie Fisher, who put Woodford under pressure with all his kicks. The first quarter was mostly the hosts forcing Woodford to defend, with some good passing movements between both backs and forwards, resulting in the visitors having to drop-out from their own goal line. The Woodford defence held firm and very much against the run of play, the visitors took advantage of a Chelmsford infringement and with quick handling, enabled their winger to score in the corner for an unconverted try.

The hosts continued to attack and used their quick inter-passing to gain ground and were eventually rewarded when Jack Bennett went over for a try, well converted by Mat Jefferson to give the home side the lead, 7-5.

Woodford came back with a very good move by their backs, enabling their blind side winger to run through a large gap and score a try, which was converted. There then followed a period of indiscipline by the home side allowing Woodford to gain ground and to increase their lead with a simple penalty goal.

Chelmsford were still willing to pass the ball between forwards and backs and from one such a move the ball was run out of defence, finishing with a try to Matt Hughes, which unfortunately was unconverted. Both sides continued providing entertaining and attacking rugby for the remainder of the first half without further additions to the score.

At half-time the score was 12-15.

The visitors now had the advantage of the slope and their fly half took full advantage with some astute and accurate kicking, putting the home side under a lot of pressure. The penalty count against the hosts was increasing, mainly for trivial offences, enabling Woodford to stay in the Chelmsford half and eventually two further penalty goals were conceded. The Woodford fly half then made a break and with poor tackling by Chelmsford was able to scythe through and score between the posts, which he duly converted.
Still Chelmsford came back and with a good quick heel from a solid set scrum and slick handling Jamie Morrish was able to break the line of defence and run 30 metres for a try between the posts, which was ably converted by Matt Jefferson.

That was the final score of the game and although both sides tried hard to earn a bonus point, it finished with victory to Woodford 19-28. Although the home side started very competitively, they started conceding too many silly penalties; losing valuable gained ground and enabling the opposition maintain pressure on the defence. Also, the tackling in the third quarter of the game was not up to the normal standard, but as is now expected from a Chelmsford side, they never gave up.

Next Saturday, Chelmsford entertain Wymondham, kick off 2.30 pm.