Selection

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Fixtures and Match Reports

Basildon 3's 20- 31 Chelmsford 4's
 
After a pleasing first game for the junior development team, a similar squad arrived at Basildon prepared for another tough test up front. The team was again a blend of experience and youth with senior debuts for Josh Bensusan and Rob Wingar. After some selection difficulties, Jamie Conway stepped up to the mark to play as hooker and did particularly well scrummaging against a much heavier pack.
 
Chelmsford took the upper hand straight from the kick-off after a solid scrum and some good hands allowed Dan Doe to make an incisive run through the Basildon midfield before being hauled down by the neck. Chelmsford tried to convert the pressure into points and signalled towards the posts. Unfortunately Mike Dawson was unable to hit the target, however from the resulting 22 metre drop-out Chelmsford instantly applied more pressure within the Basildon 22 metre area which lead to Mitch Howarde crashing over the Basildon try line for Chelmsford's first try of the afternoon, which was converted by Dawson.
 
Chelmsford continued to pressure Basildon and all of the rugby was being played in the Basildon half. After some good work from the Chelmsford backs Sam Aggar finished well for his first senior try, which Dawson added the extras for Chelmsford to race into a 14- nil lead after the quarter.
 
No sooner than the game had restarted, Chelmsford failed to react to the Basildon threat and conceded a soft try under the posts which the Basildon full back adding the extras.
 
This acted as a catalyst for the Chelmsford side that responded well by applying wave after wave of attacks in the Basildon 22 area. However due to some strong defence and untimely errors Chelmsford were unable to make an impact on the scoreboard.
 
The second half started at a frantic pace, with both sides exerting pressure on the other. Chelmsford started to turn the screw by running the ball back at Basildon rather than kicking the ball away so that they could use their superior fitness to their advantage. This was emphasised when Chelmsford scored their third try of the game, after Carl Anderson was strong in the tackle and offloaded the ball to keep the direction of play away from the Basildon defence. The ball was passed out to Dawson who managed to outpace the Basildon midfield to pass the ball to Josh Bensusan who ran the ball in uncontested underneath the posts from halfway, which was then converted by Doe.
 
Basildon through the size of their pack was able to get back into the game through some rolling mauls and indiscipline from Chelmsford, which resulted in Basildon scoring a penalty, making the score 10-21. Basildon continued to put Chelmsford under pressure and scored another try to close the gap between the two sides. Chelmsford continued to make life difficult for themselves by making too many mistakes and conceding soft penalties that allowed Basildon their final points of the game and reduced the lead by one point.
 
This forced Chelmsford to raise their standard of play and for the remainder of the game Chelmsford made sure that they pressured the home side and got some reward from a Doe penalty. After a break fly half Servantes passed the ball to a full paced Dawson who showed the Basildon defence a clean set of heals to go under the posts for the final score of the game.
 
Well done to the team for continuing their good start to the season, but they need to continue to work hard to make sure that they rectify the mistakes that have been made to continue their progress in the league.    

Upminster 4's 18- 32 Chelmsford 4's

For a difficult opening league fixture, Chelmsford arrived with an exciting blend of youth and experience that would thrive in the dry and firm ground running conditions. With emphasis on starting the game well and challenging up front against a physically bigger Upminster team, Chelmsford applied early pressure with Charles Graham recieving the ball at the back of the line out to thunder over the Upminster try line, with Zain Mann converting the extra's. Chelmsford then managed to secure a turnover through some great counter rucking by the forwards and after a decisive break through the Upminster backline from outside centre Mitch Howarde and slick handling from Zain Rivas put Kevin Servantes in under the posts for a quick 14-0 lead.

Upminster then started to apply some pressure of their own and managed to break through the Chelmsford defensive line for two quick tries. To the creadit of the Chelmsford team the players reacted positively and after an impressive catch from the half time kick off from Sam Aggar and a mazy run through the Upminster team from stand in scrum half Zaine Mann the lead was extended.
Chelmsford then started to struggle with the size and intensity shown by the Upminster pack and discipline started to highlight the strain that Chelmsford were under, which resulted in two penalties being struck by the Upminster fly-half to make the score 18-19, with 15 minutes of the game remaining.

Due to the heat and pre-season training, Chelmsford were able to go up a gear and were able to extend their lead again after full back Dan Doe collected his own chip and good hands found back row forward Rivas to go over for the try. Chelmsford were able to secure the game with five minutes to go when replacement back row forward Jamie Conway fly hacked the ball past the Upminster defense and collected the ball to go over for a fifth score. The final points were added through Mann who manged to convert four out of five convertions. Overall a great result to start the season, with the side hungry to improve their performance in the next game.

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Match Reports

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