Upminster U16’s v Chelmsford U16’s

This week Chelmsford U16’s travelled to Upminster to play our rescheduled league game that was postponed back in September. Kick off was at 1145hrs and the first 10 - 15 minutes for Chelmsford was scrappy to say the least, spilling the ball in the tackles, losing possession in the ruck and giving away penalties for off-side. We certainly made it hard for ourselves in these early stages of the game, allowing negativity to seep into the boys minds. A successful penalty kick through the posts for Upminster gave them the first 3 points on the score board.

CRFC missed an opportunity with a line out just short of the Upminster try line but just a few minutes later, our number 10 broke through the defence from the halfway line and touched down, unchallenged between the posts, and successfully converted his own try. The remaining 10 minutes of the first half saw Chelmsford defending for their lives, with 2 x Upminster scrums and a line out right on our try line and successfully holding up a potential try from the opposition. Upminster kept coming and just before the half time whistle was blown, they managed to touch down for an unconverted 5 points. Half time score Upminster 8 Chelmsford 7

With the slope and wind now working in our favour, and having made some strong substitutions, we started the second half with a positive energy that was somewhat lacking in the first half. A converted try early on from our Centre was closely followed up with a quick tap and go from the number 1, which caught the opponents off guard, putting another 7 points on the board for CRFC. Some great kicking skills, that wouldn’t have looked out of place in the Premiership, resulted in our 4th and last try of the game - with our number 8 chasing the kick and ensuring downward pressure on the ball, just before it went into the dead ball area. An unfortunate yellow card for Chelmsford saw us play the last few minutes with 14 players and Upminster fought right to the very end but they just couldn’t capitalise on the advantage. Final Score Upminster 8 CRFC 28