Woodford 2nd XV 8 Chelmsford 2nd XV 37

A busy morning saw the 1st XV game postponed at Coronation Park due to the freezing temperatures but the 2nd XV game remaining on at Woodford RFC. The players needed to get their 'game head' around this quickly so they could be competitive from the start against a strong looking Woodford side.

The beginning of the game was important, as James McLaughlan kicked a straightforward penalty but Woodford quickly struck back scoring a direct try that saw the home side make a number drives towards the visitors lines. Woodford 5 Chelmsford 3.

After 20 minutes the game was in the balance and Woodford were again in the ascendancy. Some great tackling and turnover ball however saw Charlie Sims free in the Chelmsford half with space in front of him. A jig passed his opposite number saw Sims Senior run the length of the Woodford half and a fantastic try against the run of play. Woodford 5 Chelmsford 10.

In tight away games Chelmsford need to earn the right to play and at this stage in the game Ugo Eze, captain Alex Gardener, Marc Pluck and Henry Payne were all putting in a shift. Woodford kicked a penalty to make the half time score Woodford 8 Chelmsford 10.

As the home side trotted into the warmth of the changing room, Chelmsford decided to stay out on the pitch. Psychology is such an important part of the game.

In the second half, as the game started to open up, Chelmsford came into their own. Liam Fage, James Gadd and Ross Toomey were all making good yards and tries two, three and four were scored by Jack Sims, Alex Gardner and Marc Pluck respectively.

The Blueboys greater fitness and handling skills was really starting to show as Joe Styrin and Max Williams showed their kicking skills and game awareness. Try five came from Ross Toomey on the right wing and the final try of the 'half dozen' saw the speedy Fage go under the posts. This was converted to make the final score Woodford 8 Chelmsford 37.

Squad - Forwards - Ugo Eze, George Moorcroft, Charlie Walubita, Alex Gardner, Liam Fage, Marc Pluck, Harrison Thomas, Henry Payne. Backs - Tom Allway, James McLaughlan, Justin Young, Ash Toomey, James Gadd, Charlie Sims, Max Williams. Finishers - Dave Ball, Jack Sims, Jamie Calver, Tom George, Joe Styrin, Ross Toomey