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Wins all round for Chelmsford
Annie Coulson4 Nov 2018 - 21:26
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Both men and ladies' 1st XV brought home the wins this weekend after a long break for the Bluebirds
This weekend saw victories for both the men’s and women’s 1st XV at Chelmsford RFC. The Blue Boys travelled to play the King’s Cross Steelers and fought hard throughout to bring home a narrow victory.
Chelmsford suffered several injuries, with two players coming off permanently in the first half. The Steelers had the edge in the size of their pack and every inch gained was hard won by both sides. Unfortunately, Chelmsford suffered from a few mistakes and inside the first 20 minutes, a fumbled catch allowed Steelers to steal the ball and run in an unconverted try, followed by a penalty and three more points against Chelmsford. Towards the end of the first half, Jordan Ayling did manage to narrow the gap with a penalty, only for the Steelers to do the same moments later. Half time score was 11-3.
Despite an early penalty for the Steelers, the second half saw Chelmsford playing with the wind and they were able to kick the ball deep into the other half. Paul Redford scored Chelmsford’s first try, picking the ball from the base of the scrum and plunging over the line. A conversion from Ayling saw the score improve to 14-10.
Tommy Taylor was brought on to the pitch, following a number of injuries, and the attacking choices improved for his arrival. Quick hands and feet by scrum half, Warren Woodward, allowed Taylor to gain the lead with an unconverted try. Fighting to the very end, Chelmsford managed not only to prevent Steelers from pulling ahead but Ayling also secured the win with a last minute penalty kick. Final score was 14-18.
Sunday saw the Chelmsford Bluebirds host Lakenham Hewitt Ladies RFC for their first game in 6 weeks. The Bluebirds were slow to start and spent 20 minutes defending a hungry Lakenham. Lakenham were first to put points on the board after a series of penalties against Chelmsford. Historically, this would have sent the Bluebirds packing, but they cleaned up their game and made a conscious effort to retain possession. Slowing the game down and playing the attacking phases they’ve trained with; Chelmsford drove the ball up the pitch before sending the ball out wide to greyhound-fast Marcys Jackowska, who scored an unconverted try.
The next tries for Chelmsford showed the forwards really performing. A series of “pick and go” decisions by forwards saw Annie Coulson fight her way over the line to the right of the posts for a second unconverted try. Lakenham scored a second converted try, causing the scores to swing in favour of either team. Fortunately, Jackowska scored again after a beautiful run of passes along the back line and the score moved in Chelmsford’s favour once again.
Another series of forward driving pods led to another prop try, as Zoe Wager scored her first try for Chelmsford. Lakenham scored a further, final, unconverted try but it proved insufficient to topple Chelmsford and a final converted try by the indomitable Stefania Evans, secured a decent margin for Chelmsford’s victory. Score at full time was 27-19.
Chelmsford suffered several injuries, with two players coming off permanently in the first half. The Steelers had the edge in the size of their pack and every inch gained was hard won by both sides. Unfortunately, Chelmsford suffered from a few mistakes and inside the first 20 minutes, a fumbled catch allowed Steelers to steal the ball and run in an unconverted try, followed by a penalty and three more points against Chelmsford. Towards the end of the first half, Jordan Ayling did manage to narrow the gap with a penalty, only for the Steelers to do the same moments later. Half time score was 11-3.
Despite an early penalty for the Steelers, the second half saw Chelmsford playing with the wind and they were able to kick the ball deep into the other half. Paul Redford scored Chelmsford’s first try, picking the ball from the base of the scrum and plunging over the line. A conversion from Ayling saw the score improve to 14-10.
Tommy Taylor was brought on to the pitch, following a number of injuries, and the attacking choices improved for his arrival. Quick hands and feet by scrum half, Warren Woodward, allowed Taylor to gain the lead with an unconverted try. Fighting to the very end, Chelmsford managed not only to prevent Steelers from pulling ahead but Ayling also secured the win with a last minute penalty kick. Final score was 14-18.
Sunday saw the Chelmsford Bluebirds host Lakenham Hewitt Ladies RFC for their first game in 6 weeks. The Bluebirds were slow to start and spent 20 minutes defending a hungry Lakenham. Lakenham were first to put points on the board after a series of penalties against Chelmsford. Historically, this would have sent the Bluebirds packing, but they cleaned up their game and made a conscious effort to retain possession. Slowing the game down and playing the attacking phases they’ve trained with; Chelmsford drove the ball up the pitch before sending the ball out wide to greyhound-fast Marcys Jackowska, who scored an unconverted try.
The next tries for Chelmsford showed the forwards really performing. A series of “pick and go” decisions by forwards saw Annie Coulson fight her way over the line to the right of the posts for a second unconverted try. Lakenham scored a second converted try, causing the scores to swing in favour of either team. Fortunately, Jackowska scored again after a beautiful run of passes along the back line and the score moved in Chelmsford’s favour once again.
Another series of forward driving pods led to another prop try, as Zoe Wager scored her first try for Chelmsford. Lakenham scored a further, final, unconverted try but it proved insufficient to topple Chelmsford and a final converted try by the indomitable Stefania Evans, secured a decent margin for Chelmsford’s victory. Score at full time was 27-19.
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