Chelmsford deservedly won this re-arranged league encounter with local rivals Braintree by 5 tries to 3, and in the process registered a winning bonus point. The game was supposed to be played at Chelmsford’s home pitch at Coronation Park, but the ground was still unfit due to the wet weather. Despite valiant efforts, no replacement pitches could be found in Chelmsford, and with Braintree’s pitch not playable either, the game was played at Tabor Academy in Braintree.

Surprisingly the pitch was firm with a good surface and not as muddy as one would have expected. Chelmsford had several players returning, but conversely lost 2 from the previous week, and were still well under strength. Credit to both teams for an exciting match in which they both played their part in trying to play an expansive game of rugby. Conditions made handling difficult, with a strong cross wind favouring Braintree in the first half, however, both sides were undone by a series of knock ons and turnovers, but the foundations of this win for Chelmsford was a solid scrummage, with several scrums taken against the head and a good stream of possession from the line outs.

Chelmsford’s Director of Coaching expressed his thanks to Brian Joslin and the Braintree coaching staff for getting this game on and went on to say that, “I thought the boys were fantastic in testing windy conditions today, but on a very good pitch. For me it was also nice to see the Chelmsford pack rolling back the years with more traditional driving mauls with allowed us to gain lots of control with a go forward momentum which has been lacking in recent weeks. With several players returning this weekend the team looked more powerful and physical in its work. With a young and exciting back line they know have to learn to play to a game plan and put these forwards in the areas that will hurt the opposition and not try to score whenever they receive good quality ball deep in our own half. If we can improve our kicking game, we all know we can create pressure and good try scoring opportunities against the top teams in tight games. That’s the difference between us and the teams above us in the league at this moment in time. The team will grow from this game and we are not far away from a complete all round team performance where backs and forwards are in tune and I am sure this will happen in the next few games. We have seven exciting games left this season and I want to see how far this group of players can push themselves.”

Both sides had their chances in the first few minutes of the game, but it was Chelmsford who registered the first points. Following a clearance kick from his own half by second row forward Jim Cooke, the ball fell nicely for wing Miles Tett, and some good inter passing between several players, resulted in flanker, Ed Williams going over for an unconverted try. Five minutes later the scores were level when Chelmsford tried to force the game in their own half, instead of taking a clearance kick. The ball was knocked on and subsequently picked up by Braintree’s number 12, Chris Ford, who went over for an unconverted try to bring the score to 5 points each. Shortly before the half hour mark, Chelmsford went ahead when following a line out and a catch and drive, the ball was spun down the back line and Rhys Whitelock made a break, and with centre Jobi Fisher in support, he touched down for an unconverted try to take Chelmsford into a 10 – 5 lead.

Shortly following the restart, fly half, Rhys Mason made a great break from inside his own 22 metre area and beat several men down the right hand side touchline, but unfortunately he was thwarted just short of the line. Chelmsford were now exerting pressure on Braintree and on the 25 minute mark, Chelmsford went further ahead when Number 8, Simon Quinn broke from a set scrum near the Braintree line and dived over for a try, which was converted by Rhys Mason to increase the lead to 17 – 5. Minutes later some good handling from Nick Sany and centre Seb Hill, resulted in wing, Miles Tett going close, before being being tackled into touch and then Rhys Mason went close to scoring from a kick ahead. Unfortunately Braintree were then penalised on their own line and in the process the referee brandished a yellow card. 3 minutes before half time, Chelmsford scored their 4th try when flanker Matt Lincoln scored a well taken try, which was converted by Rhys Mason to take the score to 24 – 5. On the stroke of the half time whistle, Braintree reduced the arrears, when Chelmsford took their eye off the ball, by losing control of it and the ball was picked up by centre, Dane Crush, who had a straight run to the try line. The try was converted by fly half Kingsley Johnson to reduce the arrears to 24 – 12 at half time.

Long term absentee, Ed Williams, put in a tremendous attacking display, with some thunderous runs, but he had to be replaced at half time by Jamie Hines, following a hand injury. Braintree’s best spell came in the first quarter of the second half, when they found some territory inside Chelmsford’s 22. A series of penalties saw Chelmsford hanging on, and with 10 minutes gone, something had to give and centre, Seb Hill was sent to the sin bin for coming into the side of a ruck. 6 minutes later, Chelmsford were temporarily reduced to 13 men, when Jim Cooke was yellow carded for holding on in a ruck. A few minutes later a scrum was awarded to Braintree, from which they broke blind and right wing, James Moore was on hand to break through the cover defence to score a well taken try near the corner, which was converted by Kingsley Joslin. Braintree suddenly found themselves back in the game at 24 – 19, but Chelmsford dug in and were rewarded for their efforts when a long clearance kick saw the ball travel deep into Braintree’s 22 metre area. Minutes later a scrum was awarded to Chelmsford near to the Braintree line and once again Number 8 Simon Quinn broke from the scrum to score his 2nd try underneath the posts, which was duly converted by Rhys Mason to round off a successful 31- 19 victory, thus ensuring that Chelmsford did the double over their rivals this season.

This weekend sees Chelmsford play Norfolk side Holt at Coronation Park, and this will be another big test for the squad. Kick off is at 2.30pm