In what proved to be a more difficult match than they might have been expected, Chelmsford were fortunate to come away with a point.

Chelmsford took the lead on five minutes when a quick pass from Paul Bass let in Rob Earley to score.

West Norfolk equalised five minutes later when the ball was released from a five metre scrum to their powerful number three.

Ten minutes before half-time, the visitors kicked a penalty, enabling them to go into the interval with a three point advantage.

The second half started with Chelmsford conceding a try after 10 minutes, when the hosts' number seven ran through the centre of the pitch to score under the posts, leaving an easy conversion.

The second Chelmsford try came when the ball was released out to the backs from a scrum eight metres out.

The backs kept the ball to hand and eventually allowed Trevor Bedding to go over the line.

The final Chelmsford try came when Chris Hoult pounced on a loose ball he had kicked forward to level the scores, but the whistle then blew, with both sides having to be content with a point.

On Sunday, Chelmsford begin Shepherd Neame Essex Cup action with a home tie against Basildon (k.o 2.15pm).

Other results: Clacton 53, Chelmsford III 3: Chelmsford IV 38 (tries by Christian O'Hare (4), Ian Watkins and Gareth Richards, while Andy Barrett kicked four conversions), Witham II 0.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.