Chelmsford travelled to Rickmansworth on Saturday to take on the unknown quantity of Old Merchant Taylors.

It was destined to be a close match with Chelmsford one place above the home team in seventh place, but with their hosts having a game in hand.

Chelmsford's early determination paid dividends as their first try came 15 minutes into the contest.

Chelmsford were awarded a penalty 10 metres from the try line.

Paddy O'Riordan, back in the side after injury, took the ball on for a maul to be set up.

This left Kevin Prior with the job of taking the ball on to score the try.

Christian O'Hare added the conversion to give Chelmsford the lead.

Two minutes later, Chelmsford scored their second points, an excellent try with fine displays of handling with forwards and backs combining.

Taylors were putting pressure on Chelmsford but Paul Foster managed to steal the ball in his own 22.

With most of the home team still in the 22, he broke and drew the one defender who had got back.

Chris Hoult was in support and made an excellent run several metres down the pitch, and looking desperately for support as the defence got back.

Maybe he could have just found the energy to go all the way but he found second row James Howe in support who took the ball on before passing it to centre Trevor Bedding to complete the try.

This superb try was converted by O'Hare.

At this point, things were looking favourable for Chelmsford but Taylors clawed their way back with two tries before half time, both going unconverted.

The second half began with another Chelmsford try, after they had been awarded a penalty in front of the posts.

Instead of opting for a kick, they chose to run it, and the ball was spun out to Paul Bass on the wing who ran in the try.

Chelmsford then began to make mistakes and Taylors came closer to Chelmsford's tally with three penalty kicks from their scrum half who had been off target in the first half.

With Taylors on the ascendancy, the final whistle came as a relief for Chelmsford who just held on for the point.

On Saturday Chelmsford travel to Bury St Edmunds for a friendly match and on Sunday the Ladies visit Thurrock for a league match.

Chelmsford IIs beat Old Merchant Tayors II 10-7, Chelmsford's points being scored by Paul Hills (try) and Dom Fenton (a penalty and a conversion), and this was Chelmsford's first Merit Table win of the season.

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