Chelmsford RFC 1st XV Men 30 Saffron Walden RFC 25

With just three games of the season remaining, the Blueboys knew that a win against Saffron Walden would be a big step in securing Chelmsford’s place in the league next season. Playing up the slope in the first half, the importance of the game to both sides was clear. Chelmsford looked the more nervy of the two sides start as struggled to contain a physical and direct running Saffron Walden side in the early exchanges. After some loose tackling by the home side, the visitors took advantage and bludgeoned their way over the line after 3 minutes to take a 0-7 lead.

Chelmsford narrowed the deficit shortly after with a well struck penalty from Jamie Morrish, but within minutes Saffron Walden replied with a penalty of their own to the restore the gap. As the match progressed, Chelmsford began to grow in confidence and the looked the more inventive of the sides with ball in hand.

Chelmsford began to exert more pressure on the Saffron Walden defence and this work paid off when Scott James continued his excellent form to crash through the defensive line from 5 metres for Chelmsford’s first try to level the scores.

Solid Chelmsford defence combined with accurate clearance kicking saw the visitors deprived of any more points with the advantage of the slope. Chelmsford benefited from 2 more penalties of their own towards the end of the half to create a 6-point lead at the break.

Half Time Chelmsford 16 Saffron Walden 10

Now playing down the slope, the Blueboys found themselves offside on a number of occasions eventually gifting Saffron Walden the first points of the second half. However, Chelmsford reorganised and after a rampaging break from Will Cooper saw him stopped just a meter short of the line, quick recycling saw Jack Bennett dot the ball down for a simple try to extend the home sides’ lead to 10 points.

This lead was extended again 5 minutes later when a superb kick from Jack Lavin was pounced on by a sprinting Ben Cranwell to score in the corner. Jamie Morrish concluded a faultless afternoon with the boot to convert for a 30-13 lead.

Saffron Walden to their credit continued to battle to the very end and scored 2 consolation tries at the end to lift the spirits of their travelling support but the Blueboys had enough in the tank to win the game 30-25.

With league status now all but secure, the men’s 1st XV travel for what is expected to be a very tough fixture against the high flying Eton Manor next week before the season concludes at Coronation Park on the 6th April against Harlow.

Match Report by Matt Burley
Photos kindly shared by Brian Purdy