In the build up to this, they had 5 weeks of intense training just to get them ready. As always, we still tried to make this fun, but as safety is the most important area we needed to cover, the players found the last weeks quiet tough.

So on the traditional season curtain raiser; we headed off to Hertford and take major step in the children’s rugby journey.

I say step, it was more like a giant leap. They looked like they had been playing contact all year!!

We had a mixed variety of teams. Some gelling straight away, others taking their time, but by the end they were like naturals and wondering what all the fuss was about. This was the first venture out and the season is long, but what an explosive start!

The players played with passion, spirit and heart and bonded as teams. Their celebrations when they scored was great to see, as they were so excited when their team mate scored.

They ended the morning with the biggest smiles on their faces (and a few bumps and bruises) and with extremely proud parents. It was a joy to watch and we are looking forward to a really enjoyable season with a great squad.

A big thank you to our hosts Hertford, great players, coaches and parents. Really well organised and made it a really big and special occasion for all the players.

Well done lads, great advert for Chelmsford Rugby Club

Matt

Please see below for individual team reports (more to be added);

Team - WASPS

The first of our many away games this year took us to Hertford, Shame to say not the heat wave from last year. But we will all remember Hertford as being a great tag rugby team. But this was contact, our very first contact game, and the lads were apprehensive but determined to give it their all. There are not many times I have witnessed a team bond so quickly and play with such flare but boy did they play.

Wasps V Aussie’s
This game was played at a fantastic pace. Captain Elliot Morley running in with 2 tries, vice-captain Connor Corbett with his exquisite dummies finishing off with two tries, and Sam Sandal scoring one try that had come through every member of the team and one solo run that was nearly the whole length of the pitch. Rhys Abercrombie, Elliott Vickers and Charlie Davison charging in with the strongest of tackles from the offset. And great assist from George Clarke and Alex Bawtree. The wasps were truly bonding.
Final Score
Chelmsford Wasps 6 Hertford Aussie’s 1

Wasps V Wales
In our second game this time against Hertford wales, we saw the same three assassins score two tries apiece; this was by no means luck as theses’ boys make a habit of being in the right place at the right time. The tackling in this game was also full on earning wasps the first 7 tackle turn over. What Astounded me was that Rhys and Alex had only just finished a game as replacements for Vince’s hard hitting heroes. The whole team was starting to look like a finely tune unit.

Final score
Chelmsford Wasps 6 Hertford Wales 1

Wasps V South Africa
The South African’s were always going to be our strongest test. Good passing, tackling and speed. But for a determined and galvanised wasps that started to edge away in the first half and never let them get back into the game in the second. One apiece for George Clarke and Sam sandal two tries by Charlie Davison and Three tries for Captain Elliot Morley cemented a great win for the wasps, but a special mention has to go to the smallest guy on the field for his tackling exploits …………………. Rhys (The Munch) Abercrombie.

Final score
Chelmsford wasps 7 Hertford South Africa 3.

Well done lads you made us all feel proud.

Chris Jones.

Team - TIGERS

Game 1 - Just getting going

A tentative start from the tigers but soon got down to business with a strong run from Cole leading to our first try of the season. Hertford responded quickly with an unchallenged try which awoke a sprit within the tigers who collectively decided that wasn't going to happen again (and it didn't). Half time 1:1. The second half saw the tigers kick into gear - a gear they remained in for the rest of the morning. The whole team battled on stirred on by Tom who showed great determination with an endless display of tackling with superb tackling support from Harvey. Tigers retook the lead with another two great trys from 'Ole King Cole' and Lawrence. A late consolation from Herts but the tigers continued defending saw the team through the final moments.

Tigers 3 Herts 2.

Game 2 - A whole new level
With their tales up, Tigers stayed on the pitch and took on the next Herts contenders. This game evidenced both the hard work the team had put into the recent training weeks and the confidence from the first game. Tigers played with a passion and determination that Hertford just could not match - every player was now into tackle mode with Tigers forcing a 7-try-turnover in each half and no-one from Herts was getting more than a few yards each time. On one occasion the defence was breached Oliver C chased back from half-way to stop a certain try just short of the line. Moments later after one of the turnovers, Oliver picked the ball up and racing three quarters of the pitch with not a Herts player in sight. Captain Jimmy was putting himself right into the game and his hard work paid off with a great diagonal run to the corner for a well-deserved try. Tigers were now showing relentless attacking the whole game and getting forward at each opportunity with fantastic doubles from both Harvey, who was organising the team so well and Lawrence with one of the tries involving almost all the team.

Final Score Tigers 6 - Herts 4,

Game 3 - Cooking on Gas
After a short break, Tigers were back again, playing a half each against the previous opponents who swapped at half-time. Tigers energy was still running high and with the wiff of hot dogs in the air, Tigers took an early lead through a great run from Cole who then followed this up with a superb 'text book' tackle straight out of tackle club. A lovely try from Tom that was well deserved after his continued Tackling in each game, Morgan took the half-time score to 3.1 with a mazy run through the Herts defence. Lawrence continued his try-a-game start which again was just reward after some solid defending across the team and another 7-tackle turnover. Tigers were now coasting - a little too much as Herts got back from 4.2 to 4.4 when the referee called for the last play. Tigers were determined to maintain their winning record and straight from the passback, Morgan went straight for the try line, avoiding a few tired tackle attempts from Hertford (a timely reminder of the 3 second / two hand rule) which meant that tiger had won 3 out of 3.

Final score
Tigers 5 Herts 4.

The teamwork, attitude and determination of the whole team was absolutely fantastic throughout the morning and it was so pleasing to see the team working together in both defence and attack with great support throughout. The highlight was seeing all the players tackling and pressing Hertford back with endless tackling. It was so nice to see the team celebrate the winning try of the last game together evidencing the teamwork that had built up over the morning. The whole team should be so proud of themselves and should have great confidence to take into the season.

Well done guys.

Gavin