This was a game played away from HAC’s normal home in central London. The game was moved to Chiswick and played on a 4G pitch. The match was hard fought throughout and with five minutes to go there were only seven points between the teams. In the last five minutes HAC scored two tries to extend their lead.
Chelmsford played against the wind in the first half and for the first twenty minutes had most of the possession but could not break through a well drilled defence or gain good attacking positions from kicking. It was against the run of play when Chelmsford lost possession in a handling movement only for HAC to gather the ball and a rapid transfer saw their winger sprint in for a try. The HAC backs were quick and moved the ball rapidly whenever in possession and scored again when they caught the Chelmsford defence on the blindside to score and make it 12-0.
Captain, Josh Cavey, made yardage whenever he got the ball, and a typical drive by him saw him flick the ball as tackled to Jack Acorn who went in under the posts for a converted try. HAC responded when their talented flyhalf avoided a number of tackles to score an opportunistic try. Minutes before half time HAC extended their lead from a five metre lineout. Chelmsford chose not to compete in the lineout but the subsequent catch and drive could not prevent a try being scored. Half Time HAC 29 Chelmsford 7
Chelmsford continued to use their backs and try and stretch the HAC scoring three tries in twenty five minutes. Firstly the ball was spread wide to Acorn who made ground a pace before passing inside to Jamie Morrish to round off a well executed move. Another flowing move saw Acorn score his second try and five minutes later Morrish at pace scored bursting through to score his second try.
HAC were not finished and in the last five minutes showing rapid pace increased their lead scoring two further tries to secure victory
Chelmsford will look back at this game and be pleased with a number of aspects particularly how they took the game to HAC in the first half an hour of the second half. Both lineouts and set scrums require work as neither were won consistently.
Next Saturday Chelmsford are at home to Ipswich kick off 3pm.