Chelmsford 2nd XV 60 Thurrock 2nd XV 21

Chelmsford 2nd XV entertained Thurrock in a double header at Coronation Park. The season had started well for the home side with two close wins and this game would be a real test for the Blueboy's B XV.

Playing on the car park and up the slope the game plan was to get the ball into wide channels to negate the big Thurrock forwards. The set piece would be important and both props, Ball and Walubita, would need to 'front up'. The back row reflected both youth and experience with Jack Sims getting his first 2nd XV start and Marc Pluck and Peter Baya playing the 'minder' role.

The first points of the game came from a McLaughlan penalty and Jack Phelps scored the first try of the game as he chased a Matt Barker kick through with great athleticism. Chelmsford 8 Thurrock 0. The Thurrock side wanted to keep the game tight as they showed little line out variation as they scored from a catch and drive. Chelmsford 8 Thurrock 7. The next try would be a big score.

With the back three of Young, Hubert and now Wood looking comfortable in defence the second Chelmsford try came from some expansive rugby that eventually saw Pluck score in the top right hand corner of the pitch. Half time score Chelmsford 13 Thurrock 7.

The half time chat was about keeping the ball wide and keeping it wide was exactly what happened! For 20 minutes the Blueboys backs run Thurrock ragged. Two tries each for Joe Wood, Ross Toomey and Saulge Hubert saw the score rise rapidly with only a token response from the opposition.

Pick of the tries in the second half would be the second Hubert touchdown. After a kick down field Justin Young chased the ball and full back into the five metre area. After a fumble, Young pounced on the loose ball to find Saulge in support and a splash over the line.With a few substitutions and a little bit of ill-discipline the games structure seemed to fade away to leave the final score Chelmsford 60 Thurrock 21.

Squad – Dave Ball, George Moorcroft, Charlie Walubita, Alex Gardner, Jack Pearce, Peter Baya, Marc Pluck, Tom Allway, James McLauglan, Jack Phelps, Ash Toomey, Matt Barker, Saulge Hubert, Justin Young, Tom George, Jamie Calver, Segi Gordon, Dan Trinder Hunt, Tom Bassett,