CANVEY ISLAND.............7

CHELMSFORD................39

(NPI Cup)

Chelmsford progressed into the second round with a sound win over Canvey Island from the league below.

It was just seven minutes before Chelmsford got onto the score sheet. Paul Smith made an excellent break through the centre after a pick up at the base of a scrum on the half way line. He passed the ball on to scrum half Tony Machin who in turn passed it on to Tim Roddy to complete the try.

With both teams battling against a gusty wind from the Canvey flats, lineouts proved difficult with both hookers unable to throw the ball in straight.

Canvey were awarded a five metre scrum close to the Canvey line, the powerful Chelmsford pack were able to drive them off their own ball and over the line for their second try which was again claimed by Roddy. Dom Fenton added the conversion.

Chelmsford were still keen to use their forward strength and when a penalty was awarded after 32 minutes, Chelmsford opted for a scrum five metres out.

Again, they were able to drive the ball on and this time it was Smith himself who placed the ball over the line. This left Chelmsford 17-0 up at half-time.

The second half started off much more quietly and several injury stoppages meant that the game lost some of its interest and momentum.

However, it was now the turn of the backs to dominate and 22 minutes into the half, the ball was passed out to Chelmsford winger Paul Foster who used his pace and run in the first try of the half.

Fifteen minutes later, using the backs, the ball was passed to Peter Graves who came in from full back to run in his try.

Dom Fenton added to the score five minutes later with a converted try and Trevor Bedding, who had come on as substitute for Tim Roddy rounded off a good afternoon's work with the culmination of some excellent handling by the forwards and backs combined.

With the score now at 39-0 and the game being in injury time, Chelmsford failed to re-align quickly enough allowing Canvey to score a consolation try which was duly converted.

Other results: Chelmsford II 8, Romford & Gidea Park II 18; Bancroft II 17, Chelmsford III 34; Rochford IV 38, Chelmsford IV 15.

WITHAM I..............25

RAVENS I..............10

Witham winger Paul Cole opened the scoring with a try within the first five minutes. Gareth Scott converted.

Witham forwards then took a scrum against the head, leaving Ravens on the back foot. The ball was passed to Dave Wilson who crashed through Ravens backs to score near the posts.

Ravens then replied through Mark Bloomberg minutes from half-time.

The second half kicked off with a try scored by Scott. Witham's last try was scored when the ball was passed through the backs to winger Nat Wray, 40, who scored in the corner of the pitch after a scything run.

Ravens replied with a try by Kevin Rowley who scored with just 10 minutes left of the game, which ended with a penalty kicked by Scott.

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