CHELMSFORD’S away match against Saffron Walden in London 2 North East League was called off on Saturday morning, due to the frozen state of the host’s pitches.

Whilst Chelmsford were missing several key players, notably Josh Cavey, Miles Pitcher, Matt Lincoln, Will Ferrier and Olly Wright, coach Eddie Gooby, Chelmsford’s head coach, had a competitive squad available to play and he was anxious to keep the momentum going.

With five consecutive league wins to their name, this had taken Chelmsford to the top of the table with a four-point lead over rivals Diss.

It was disappointing to succumb to the weather, as all the other teams in the league managed to play, with nearest rivals Diss and Campion both winning.

With Diss beating their local neighbours, Holt, in a keenly contested game which saw them squeeze through by 20 points to 17, Diss scored four tries and in doing so registered a bonus point victory to overtake Chelmsford by one point in the league table, with Chelmsford now having a game in hand.

The game against Saffron Walden will be re-arranged as soon as both clubs can agree on a suitable date.

This coming weekend is a blank fixture for most clubs in London 2 North East, but Saffron Walden are playing Old Cooperians, so it looks like mid-March will be the earliest that Chelmsford can play their postponed game.

Chelmsford’s next match is at home to second from bottom club, Old Cooperians on Saturday, February 21. They beat them earlier in the season 58-11.

However, this will still be a testing game for Chelmsford as Old Coops have run into some form, beating Enfield Ignations 29-14 at home at the weekend.

Preceding the game on February 21, there will be an additional VP’s lunch.