Maldon U16’s v Chelmsford U16’s

This week Chelmsford U16’s travelled to Maldon to play our third league game of the season. This should have been a home fixture for the CRFC boys, however “rain stopped play” at Coronation Park, so we had to travel once again to face Maldon on their home turf. Maldon RFC were last season’s league winners, and have dominated the current season, having already won 4 of their last 5 matches, so we knew this was going to be an important game. Kick off was at 1400hrs and Maldon started strong – scoring their first try within a minute of the whistle. This try was successfully converted, giving Maldon a 7-0 head start. Our boys, however, are well versed at being on the back foot early doors, and just 8 minutes later, a great steal from a Maldon line out, resulted in CRFC gaining possession. An impressive phase of quick passing and great hands saw CRFC touch down between the posts to put 7 points on the score board. Maldon 7/CRFC 7. Maldon continued to push us hard, frustrating any attempts that Chelmsford made to attack, and scored another try after 21 minutes which was nicely converted, despite the kicker, having to wait for his tee, and running the clock down to just 1 second to spare. A lapse of discipline on both sides, towards the end of the second half, saw a player from each team yellow carded. Half time score Maldon 14/Chelmsford 7

With some fresh legs off the bench, the yellow cards expired, and some encouraging words said during the break, the second half started with both teams still having all to play for. Unfortunately, a second yellow for Chelmsford saw us reduced to 14 players. Maldon continued to make the most of their attacking opportunities, whereas Chelmsford seemed unable to get back into the game. We were slow into the rucks, our set pieces were not working and we were giving away penalties. Whilst there were a few moments of brilliance from our players throughout the game, the long Christmas break, and the lack of training time over the last few weeks was evident in our performance today, and we just couldn’t claw our way back into the game. Maldon snatched 3 more, unconverted tries in the remainder of the 2nd half, primarily because of penalties awarded against Chelmsford, before having one of their own players yellow carded for lack of discipline. Final Score Maldon 29 CRFC 7

CRFC will however travel once again to Maldon next week, to face the same team in the Waterfall Cup – so perhaps, an opportunity to even the score.