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Chelmsford march on unbeaten Chelmsford teams remain undefeated in all competition this season with an emphatic straight sets win for the first team over Romford Rascals 25-20, 25-18, 25-12 in their latest Essex Division 1 encounter. Anash Vora was voted player of the match. For their second home game at Mildmay Sports Centre, Anglia Ruskin University, player/coach Paul Bohannan made two changes to his starting six. Ken Edwards started opposite Steve Peacock at middle attack and Stuart Fairley joined Dave Gentry at outside attack. Captain John Hill formed the reliable setting platform alongside Bohannan. Marcin Widzinski and Anash Vora, both of whom were to make significant contributions, started on the bench. Chelmsford started brightly, serving and hitting well. They quickly discovered a large gap in the Romford defence which they continued to exploit throughout the game. Then, having got on top at 13-10, they seemed to relax and unforced errors began to creep into their game. However the visitors failed to take advantage and Chelmsford took the first set 25-20 with steady play. Set two saw the home side well on top quickly going 10-4 up on the back of some excellent hitting by Fairley and blocking by Bohannan. The ever dependable Hill was able to run an offense that threatened to attack at all points along the net and Romford seldom offered a block to help their protect their back court. Widzinski came on for Gentry and shook off a few early mistakes to blast the ball away at every opportunity. Mid set Vora replaced Peacock who was nursing a knee strain and made an immediate impact continuing to impress right up to taking the final point for 25-18. Set three saw Romford buckle under the continued onslaught and power of the Chelmsford attack. Vora caught the eye again putting the ball away every time by mixing up gentle accuracy into space with the power hit through the block. He led the line and was deservedly given the player of the match award although he played for less than half of the points. For the record, Chelmsford took the third set 25-12, having at one stage been 21-8 up. 3-0, job done. With two wins out of two the season has started brightly although tougher matches against Brentwood and Southend await. Speaking after the match, coach Bohannan was realistic – ‘ You can only beat the team there on the day and our two wins, especially the one over Tendring, show we are playing at the top of our game. We are a small squad but if we can repeat these performances I will be satisfied. The result will then depend on how well the opposition play and if they are better, they will deserve the points’. Chelmsford are next in action away in the Rucanor Cup against holders Brentwood Wildthings on 7th November. The result could indicate just how good this season’s Chelmsford first team really are. |