U14s come up just short against strong Chelmsford XV

A gloriously sunny Sunday morning saw our U14s play host to visitors Chelmsford at HDL. After two close encounters last season, and with Chelmsford travelling with a strong squad, a high quality game was expected, and spectators were not disappointed as both teams put on a show of excellent rugby.

In perfect conditions, Ipswich started the stronger, playing quality structured rugby over multiple phases that tested the Chelmsford defence to their limits. We dominated the ball and were camped in the Chelmsford 22 for almost all of the first quarter of the game, but despite ferocious attacks the visitors did not buckle thanks to exceptional tackling and team defence. Finally Chelmsford secured the ball from a turnover, and then spread the ball wide to their pacy left winger who found enough space to go round the Ipswich defence on the flank to go the length of the pitch and register the opening score. Having been able to go under the posts, the conversion was knocked over to see Chelmsford lead 0-7 after 15 minutes.

After such unrewarded effort, the wind was taken out of Ipswich's sails somewhat, and Chelmsford took full advantage of the change of momentum by scoring two further quick tries round the outside thanks to quick handling to exploit the space on offer. Both were unconverted to stretch the lead to 0-17.

This Ipswich team are full of both quality and heart, and rather than let heads dropped, the black and gold boys rallied themselves to drag themselves back into the game, when Anashe powered his way over after further phases of play had taken the team up into the 22. Luca added the extras from out on the right, to see the half-time score 7-17 in favour of the visitors.

The second half began with both teams continuing to play with ferocity in both attack and defence, impressing the large crowd with their commitment, quality and physicality. Chelmsford broke and were denied a try only by some great last ditch goal-line defence led by Junior, supported by the rest of the forward pack. However the blue and whites recycled the ball quickly and again moved the ball wide to capitalise on the overlap on the right, to commence the scoring with a converted try. 7-24.

Ipswich were not done however and back they roared to dominate much of the remaining second half. Pressure down in the Chelmsford 22 led to Junior picking and driving round the corner to crash over. Dylan just missed the difficult chance for the extra 2 points from out wide.

With their tails up, the Ipswich team attacked again, with us moving the ball to allow Viggo to come more and more into the game with some powerful runs punching holes in the robust Chelmsford defence. Another fine series of phases was capped off when the ball went out with Tomos stepping back inside from the centres to cut a line over the try line to score, duly converted by Dylan. 19-24.

Ipswich were back in the game with less than 5 minutes to play and were sniffing a victory that late in the first half had looked improbable. But credit to Chelsmsford, they stuck to their task and managed to score again with Ipswich taking chances to force a turnover to create the game winning score from themselves. 19-29.

With Ipswich prop Cailean having suffered a leg injury on field during this last phase, this excellent game was brought to an end, Chelmsford taking the spoils back to Essex, largely thanks to the second quarter period of the game.

With Chelmsford one of the strongest teams in Essex, this was a great benchmark for where our squad is, and gives the coaches plenty to focus on improving during training. The boys showed tremendous resilience and desire to drag themselves back into the game, and by tightening up on some structures will be able to turn these types of results into victories.

We look forward to the return match in Chelmsford in the New Year, and welcoming some missing players back to the squad ahead to our trip to Old Northamptonians on 29th October.

Scorers
Tries: Anashe, Junior, Tomos
Cons: Luca, Dylan

(Away) coaches' man of the match: Viggo
(Away) players' man of the match: Junior