Saturday saw a return to action for Chelmsford Undertakers as they hosted Essex rivals Basildon RFC in their only pre-season friendly. With temperatures soaring into the high 20s and little or no wind, the stage was set for a hotly contested match, and the large crowd that gathered were not disappointed.

Chelmsford were without a number of their recent 7s tournament winning team members including both team captains, Gordon Ash and Matt Barnard, so the duty was passed to Ken Padmore (forward) and Tristan Barrett (back) to take the helm. The absence of several players provided the opportunity for Chelmsford to name several new players in their 20-man match day squad, including starts for Tom Rowe at prop, Tom Vardy at flanker, and Charlie Armour on the wing.

It was decided before kick-off to play four quarters, due in part to the heat and to provide opportunity to administer managerial changes in what would be both teams’ last preparation game before league matches start this week.

Chelmsford started kicking up the hill, having won the toss, but despite some good early tussles up front, Basildon were the more organised and struck early, crossing the line three times in the first quarter, all three tries successfully converted. At the end of the first quarter 0-21 to Basildon, the undertakers apparently still in holiday mode.

The first break in play enabled Chelmsford to regroup and make changes with Co-Captain Barrett taking to the field at full back and debutant Joe Locker on the wing.

The reorganisation immediately paid off with Chelmsford’s Jim Howe receiving possession from the restart, feeding the ball to winger, Lee Moore, who broke Basildon's line to put Chelmsford’s first points on the board. This was converted by Matt Jefferson.

With Chelmsford dominating the scrum, their forwards were giving Basildon's defence a lot to deal and with notable runs from Howe and Rowe they made it into the Basildon twenty-two. Rucking well, the ball was played along the back line by scrum half, Chris Sorlie and a well-timed pass found second row Carl Anderson on an overlap out wide, who powered his way through Basildon's last man to score in the corner.

Chelmsford could now taste blood, and it wasn't long before they were back in the Basildon twenty-two. With forward play going left, fly half Matt Jefferson switched play right and fed Barrett at pace, who executed an audacious double sidestep, darting left then right through the Basildon back line, rounding their last man to score under the posts, giving Jefferson an easy conversion. Half time score 19-21. Chelmsford were back in it.

The third quarter kicked off with Chelmsford playing down the hill. Taking their feet off the gas, they allowed Basildon to score two break away tries. Fortune now appeared to be favouring the visitors, and extended period of pressure forced Chelmsford to clear the lines with defensive kicking. Making their way out of defence Jefferson opted to kick deep into the Basildon half for Tristan Barrett to chase. Reading the bounce Barrett caught the ball above his head winning a duel with the Basildon Centre and danced past his opposite man, scoring under the post for his second of the afternoon. The score at the end of the third quarter was 26-33 to Basildon.

The final quarter proved to be still more demanding for the teams, with the ground hard and conditions dry, the game was played at 7s pace and fitness and stamina became the name of the game. With Basildon fielding a much younger side you might have been forgiven for making them the safe bet. However, as usual the undertakers played at the pace of a team more than half their age and were rewarded with a flurry of tries: After a well worked rolling maul saw Anderson dot the ball down for his Brace, the Chelmsford centres both joined in on the act; Dave Cramphorn twice completing runs from the middle of the park and Olly Richards executing a long range effort down the left touch line and rounding the full back.

With time running out and tired legs on both sides, Chelmsford defended their line furiously, giving away several penalties in quick succession culminating in flanker – and former club Chairman! - Kidder Cheema being sin binned. A quickly taken penalty saw the Basildon scrum half power over the line to score on the last action of the match but it was not enough to overcome Chelmsford’s thrilling comeback.

Spectators could not have asked for more from this game, which was a high scoring back and forth between local rivals. Final Score Chelmsford Undertakers 50 - 40 Basildon.