In a thrilling encounter at Coronation Park last weekend, Chelmsford managed to beat their nearest rivals Diss by 27 points to 18, scoring 4 tries to secure a vital bonus point victory, which sees them secure the one automatic promotion spot to London One North, with two games still to play. Chelmsford now lead the table by 10 points from second placed Diss.

Even if Chelmsford lose the last two matches and not win any points at all, and Diss gain maximum bonus points, they would still go up as having won more games than any other side in their league. The hero once again was fly half Simon Hoult, who as in the previous week’s game at Saffron Walden, intercepted a loose pass inside his own 22 metre area, in the last minute of normal time, when Chelmsford were hanging on to a 20 – 18 lead and strode fully 75 metres to score a great try which he converted to bring a crowd in excess of 200 people into a state of euphoria.

The result was sweet revenge for Chelmsford, who were on the wrong end of a 57 – 0 drubbing earlier in the season at Diss, when an injury ravaged side were well beaten on the day. This game was the most important in Chelmsford’s recent history and for sheer effort, guts and determination, their display could not be faulted. Indeed, Diss after having been relegated themselves last season from London One proved to be a formidable outfit, especially in the pack, but Chelmsford took them on in the forwards and even though they played the 2nd half up the slope, they finished the game, the stronger side and deserved the win.

Both sides came out of the blocks running and it was quite clear that an open game of rugby was on the cards. Diss were guilty of conceding 3 penalties on the trot, and the referee then brandished one of the Diss forwards a yellow card. From the penalty kick to touch by Simon Hoult, a catch and drive ensued and flanker, Seth Robinson, crashed over for an unconverted try to take Chelmsford into a 5 – 0 lead. The referee then penalised Chelmsford on 4 occasions and from the last one of these, Chelmsford were caught offside in their own 22 and Jack Peacock reduced the arrears to 5 – 3. Unfortunately for the visitors they then knocked the ball on at a scrum and Chelmsford took advantage of this and the ball went down the line to wing, Jack Acorn, and with Jamie Morrish being in support, he went over for a try, which Simon Hoult converted to take Chelmsford into a 12 – 3 lead.

After 30 minutes, Diss reduced the arrears again, when from a line out, the ball went through the phases and some good passing in the backs saw the ball being off loaded to Ryan Carter for a well taken try in the right hand corner and with a successful conversion from Jack Peacock the score was now 12 – 10. From the resultant kick off by Chelmsford, Diss knocked the ball on inside their own 22 and then they were penalised for standing up in the scrum and Simon Hoult made no mistake with the kick to increase the lead to 15 – 10. Just before half time, Diss had a chance of a penalty kick, but this was unsuccessful and a superb clearance kick from Simon Hoult brought Chelmsford deep into the Diss 22, before the referee blew the whistle for half time.

Diss had the advantage of the wind and slope in their favour in the 2nd half, but for some reason they didn’t use the elements to the best of advantage. Chelmsford started a bit nervy in the 2nd half and got on the wrong side of the referee’s penalty count. After 10 minutes of play, Seth Robinson was yellow carded for not rolling away from a tackle. Diss successfully converted the points through Jack Peacock again to bring them back to 15 – 13. Diss’s number 8, John Laurie, then broke away from a scrum and with a number of Diss players being in support, Matt Trede scored a try underneath the posts, but the conversion failed as the kick was charged down, so Diss took the lead by 18 – 15. Chelmsford then suffered a blow when Jamie Ash had to leave the field with a shoulder injury. After 30 minutes, Chelmsford scored a vital try, when substitute wing Will Ferrier made a great break up the right hand side, the ball was then recycled and then left wing, Jack Acorn managed to dive over in the left hand corner and ground the ball for a well taken try. Chelmsford were now back in the lead at 20 – 18, Simon Hoult then had a chance to increase the lead, but his penalty kick hit the post. For the final few moments of the game, Diss were pressing for the vital score, but Chelmsford’s defence held firm and then right on full time, Simon Hoult’s decisive intercept try and conversion sealed the game for the hosts. Chelmsford managed to survive the final 4 minutes of injury time to record an impressive win and thus take them into the lofty heights of London One North League football for the 2015 - 2016 season.

Coach Eddie Gooby was in a jubilant mood after the game, when he spoke to Chelmsford’s Publicity Officer, Stuart Bolton. He said “What a tremendous day this was for the Chelmsford club, I would like to thank our under 9s and coaches for the great pre- match entertainment. On top of that the amazing support from the supporters on the day drove the players on to success. The game itself was intense and physical, just as it should be from the top two teams. With both teams knowing what the outcome would bring, sending Diss away without a losing bonus point was our target and to reverse the earlier season result. We achieved both of these targets. This game itself was high quality in every aspect and on the day the better team won and I think Diss would acknowledge this. This was just reward for all the effort the players and coaches have put in and in beating the second best team in the league to become league champions was just the way we wanted it to be. We have used 43 players this season and this performance was for them and our hard core supporters who have followed us to all our home and away games. The celebration afterwards matched everything that had happened during the day and I am sure when the boys wake up tomorrow and realise they are League Champions they will all be buzzing. I still want to end the season with a bang starting next week at Basildon. We have a club record to beat and I want to end the season unbeaten at home against Rochford in three weeks time.”