The relentless rain over the preceding days cleared to leave us with a bright sunny Sunday and near perfect rugby conditions as our U14s travelled to Epping for an away friendly. The overall squad was heavily depleted in numbers but the slightly larger half of 17 players went to Epping albeit with just two subs, including our newest recruit who was playing his first ever game of rugby, but was eager to go.

This match proved to be a Rocky-style slugfest with play going back and forth and much of it in the middle of the park as each team fought hard to contest possession and force mistakes with defensive pressure in the lines, solid tackling and strong jackling at the rucks. Simple mistakes from our boys in particular meant hard yards gained were too easily given back with some wayward passes and knock-ons, and avoidable penalties. The first tries as a result went to Epping who found themselves 14-0 up after 10 minutes with both tries under the posts. With the scoreline flattering the Epping team, it seemed like Chelmsford might be letting the opposition win the mental game. However, our boys picked themselves up and rallied for the second quarter - at times we moved the ball really well across the park between forwards and backs, but strong Epping tacklers and jacklers kept restricting our progress. In the end, the Epping barriers did finally break, and two tries towards the end of the half both came from scrambled plays where we managed to move the ball out wide quick enough to find some space to exploit.

The first counterpunch try came from our own 22, with our second row collecting a pass out in the wide channel – stretching his legs, he cantered up the pitch for a lung-busting near full-length of pitch run. Full credit to the Epping defender for not giving up the race, as an ankle tap tackle 10m from the line looked to have brought the attack to an abrupt end. Thankfully our second row (who later received a post-match coaches’ commendation for his efforts) was composed enough to hold onto the ball and look for the off-load from the floor – massive credit also to our winger for keeping up to support and getting his just rewards, receiving the popped-up ball in his stride and diving over for the try. The momentum had shifted and shortly after a similar run of play, we moved the ball out wide again and put our centre into a narrow channel into which to accelerate – usually playing on the wing, he showed his pace and a clean pair of heels, and put the ball over the line to bring the score to 14-12, and we went into half time in a buoyant mood.

Despite coming out with some initial aggression, the second half kicked off in a similar fashion to the first, with some frustrating moments as the game continued to bounce from 22-line to 22-line. Again the mistakes continued to create unnecessary pressures - we ended up with a ruck inside our red-zone and a lapse of concentration left our scrum half as the only defence at the fringe - the Epping forward duly took the opportunity to over-power that channel and walked in an all-too-easy try. With the conversion missed, 12-19 down, we were still very much in the game, but in the efforts to continue to play a more expansive passing game, came an opportunistic interception just as we were looking to exploit an exposed Epping defence – it was another unfortunate error and another easy try under the posts conceded and converted.

With little more than 5 minutes remaining on the clock, the team’s heads could have completely dropped, but again our boys cleared their heads and came out fighting back. From the restart, a great passage of play with five or six quick phases spanning back and forth across the pitch, our no.8 found some space and crossed the whitewash under the posts. Our fly half duly converted to bring it back to 7 points gap at 26-19. This was going to the wire.

The restart continued with the Chelmsford boys on top, now starting play with a lot more fluidity, moving the ball well and making steady progress up the field, but the Epping defence held strong enough to wind down the remaining minutes and as we moved a phase a bit too close the touchline our winger was bundled into touch to end the game with victory to the home team.

Well done to all the boys on both teams for putting on a well-contested match. Our No.8 was voted man-of-the-match from the opposition for his carries (and for his floppy hair and double-wristbands). Our players voted for the Epping back-rower who similarly carried the ball well and made the hard yards in a tight game, also scoring a try.

We can take a lot from the fight put into the match, but ultimately know that had we started the halves as we’d ended them, we’d have walked away with win – improving on the simple mistakes and discipline will need some work, but also lots of credit should go to the team for playing/attempting to play some great rugby too.

Next up is a whole squad trip to Southend, and then Essex Cup round two against Dagenham and Westcliff.