League rugby returned to Coronation Park on Saturday, for the first time since 7th March 2020, when Chelmsford entertained Diss in the opening game in London & North East Division 2 North East. Chelmsford had been promoted prior to the Covid-19 pandemic putting a stop to all grass roots rugby for the 2020-2021 season.

Three previous trial games had been played resulting in two conclusive victories and one narrow defeat and the club was looking forward to renewing old rivalries within the new league, most of the teams being in Suffolk and Norfolk.
On a bright sunny day with the pitch in perfect condition, Diss kicked off the first half going down the slope and from a miss-field by Chelmsford, which fell into a Diss player’s hands, they scored a try under the posts , which was duly converted, giving the visitors a 7-0 lead after only seconds of play.

Chelmsford then started asserting themselves, especially in the set scrum and with quick ball from the break downs, started pressuring the visitors into defending their own line. Penalties were being conceded by Diss, who were finding it difficult to counter the Chelmsford pack and eventually were rewarded with a penalty, well kicked by Joel Young, reducing the arrears to 3-7.
The influential Scott James then had to leave the field with a groin strain, which meant an adjustment in the backs. The forwards were still dominant and were winning nearly all the set scrums irrespective of whose put in and nearly scored a pushover try. The pressure was maintained, resulting in a penalty for a high tackle, which was well converted by Joel Young, bringing the score to 6-7.

Pressure was maintained by Chelmsford and Diss were forced to touch down behind their own line for a drop out from their own line. The kick was fielded by Chelmsford who set up another attack resulting in a scrum just short of the Diss line. The ball was heeled by Chelmsford and George Wood picked up and forced his way over for a try for the home team to take the lead for the first time, 11-7.

Diss then put some pressure on the hosts with good running and backing up, forcing a series of penalties conceded by Chelmsford. From a line out, Diss won the ball and forced their way over the line for a try, which was converted and gave them the advantage 11-14.

Chelmsford kicked off the second half going down the slope and it was their turn to pressurise the opponents and following a penalty, ably kicked by Joel Young, brought the scores level 14-14.

Immediately from the kick off, some quick passing gave Jack Acorn sufficient room to show his pace and score a try between the posts, enabling Joel Young to add the conversion points, 21-14. Shortly afterwards, the hosts were awarded another penalty, kicked by Joel Young to increase the lead to 24-14.

The game then started to get a little messy with both sides conceding too many penalties for basic errors and resulting in a yellow card being shown to a Chelmsford player. The tackling on both sides was not as tight as at the beginning of the game resulting in whoever had possession making many yards in attack. From one of the Diss attacks they created a maul which was pushed over the Chelmsford line and touched down for another try, which was well converted to bring the score to 24-21.

The hosts then reasserted the superiority in the set scrum and forced the visitors to concede another penalty to enable Joel Young to kick another 3 points and increase the lead to 27-21. Diss never gave up and continued to put pressure on the hosts and the game ended following a knock on near the Chelmsford line.

With the superiority of Chelmsford in the set scrums, and initially the line outs, it was surprising the result was so close, but Chelmsford will be pleased to start the season off with a victory. A number of the home players will be pleased with their performances, especially the half-backs and the back row and overall the team performance augers well for the future.