Chelmsford 40 Rochford 14
(London 2 North East League)

Chelmsford completed one of their most successful seasons in their league history with their 12th consecutive victory over near neighbours Rochford, however, they were made to fight for their win, particularly in the first half when they struggled to get any meaningful possession, and when they did they made a number of handling errors, but 32 unanswered points in the 2nd half with some inspiring back play saw them home. In scoring 5 tries and 40 points, the squad broke 2 records for the most number of points scored in a season, 780 and the most number of tries, 108. Additionally fly half Simon Hoult scored 259 points in the season, another club record. This win meant that Chelmsford finished the season as champions of London 2 North East, 10 points ahead of 2nd placed Diss, who must play off against their counterparts in London 2 North West for the other promotion spot.

Rochford played down the slope in the first half and had the advantage of the stiff breeze, which was blowing across the pitch. As is usual with Chelmsford, they came up against a much bigger pack and it was evident that Rochford could cause Chelmsford problems with their strong running forwards and backs. It was not surprising that Rochford took the lead, when the visitors took advantage of a line out fumble and an incisive break down the centre of the field led to the ball being recycled and the ball was then fed out to their backs for a well taken try, which was duly converted to take Rochford into an early lead of 7 – 0. Ten minutes later they had a great chance to increase their lead, but with an extra man in the line the final pass went astray into touch.

Fly half, Simon Hoult, who is Chelmsford’s all time record points scorer reduced the arrears after 30 minutes when the visitors were guilty of boring in at the scrum, the score was now 7 – 3, however, Chelmsford were then penalised themselves for hands in the ruck and with the ball being drilled down deep into Chelmsford’s 22, Rochford scored their 2nd try from a catch and drive and with the successful conversion Rochford increased their lead to 14 – 3. With 10 minutes left on the clock in the 1st half, Chelmsford knew that they must not concede any further points and 3 minutes before half time, the Chelmsford backs suddenly found themselves with an overlap situation, Simon Hoult fed the ball out to centre Adam Cunnah, who dummied his man, then straightened up his line to score an excellent try to reduce the arrears to 14 – 8. On the stroke of half time, Rochford should have scored a try underneath the posts, but somehow the final pass was knocked on.

Coach Eddie Gooby replaced 2nd row Nick Sany with Matt Lincoln for the 2nd half. The 2nd half couldn’t have got off to a better start for Chelmsford when from a mark inside their own 22, Rochford failed to find touch, the ball was caught by scrum half Ben Bailey, he fed the ball out to full back, Jamie Morrish and he broke through on the blindside and with wing, Jack Acorn in support, he rounded the full back to score a well taken try to reduce the arrears to 14 – 13. Chelmsford then took the lead with a penalty from Simon Hoult after Rochford were penalised for boring in again at a scrum, so the home side led for the first time, 16 – 14. At this stage Chelmsford never looked back and suddenly they found themselves on the front foot and the tempo and intensity of their play increased with the Chelmsford forwards taking on the Rochford pack and driving them back. As a consequence they managed to score a further 24 points, the first of these coming from a break by centre, Oli Wright and with Jamie Morrish in support, he scored a try underneath the posts which was converted by Simon Hoult to take Chelmsford into a 23 – 14 lead.

Rochford were then penalised for coming round the wrong side of the ruck and Simon Hoult duly obliged with the penalty kick to make it 26 – 14. The 4th try and bonus point try was scored by flanker, Seth Robinson, who took a great inside pass from Ben Bailey to score underneath the posts. With the try being converted, Chelmsford now led by 33 – 14. Some 3 minutes later Chelmsford scored their 5th try when Oil Wright kicked ahead, and with Rochford’s defence under pressure, wing Will Ferrier was in support to grasp the ball from the opposition’s hands and score another great try which again Simon Hoult converted to take the final score to 40 – 14.

Coach Eddie Gooby said after the game that: “ We knew that this would be a tough physical game and so it turned out to be, all credit to Rochford for making life difficult for us in the first half. We didn’t play to our game management plan, but once we scored our first try just before half time and didn’t concede any further points, then I knew we would turn matters round. To score 32 unanswered points against a side of Rochford’s calibre is testament to the side’s quality. I would just like to say that our defence in the last 15 minutes of the game was top notch. Rochford were making every effort to salvage a score, but time and again the players kept on making tackles and knocking their opponents down. I would like to make special mention of all 43 players that have represented the First XV this season, this shows the depth of talent that we have available in the club. Once again I would like to thank of all of our supporters who have turned up each week and cheered the side on for what has turned out to be a memorable season for the club.”