Head coach, Kevin Blackmore, arranged for Chelmsford to face a team from a different region in an effort to really test his new squad with a complete unknown and so Saturday saw Chelmsford travel to Hastings and Bexhill RFC. With the prospect of another win and a post-match social, spirits were high and the squad left everything on the pitch from the opening seconds.

As ever, Chelmsford had the dominant forward pack and never lost a scrum. Particular standouts included both props, loosehead James Franks – playing his debut for Chelmsford, Franks had an incredible work rate and was very vocal despite his debutante status – and tighthead Phil Dechamps – who turned his opposite number inside out.

With both teams facing unknown entities, there was massive competition on both sides and, whilst Chelmsford played the better game overall and certainly showed improvement on their previous game; Chelmsford lost their heads slightly and gave away penalties to the home team. When they slowed the game down, Chelmsford played their game and ran the attacking plays they had trained for but, unfortunately, Hastings had a strong defence and Chelmsford’s three tries were scored off the back of good heads up rugby by individual players. Tom Day, scrum half, and Jordan Ayling, centre, each scored a try after intercepting the ball from Hastings and running the ball in from 60 and 40 metres respectively. Warren Woodward scored the team’s third try with what can only be described as, really good rugby. The team swept the ball from right to left, drawing the defence in, and then a quick rewind to attack the blindside.

Unfortunately, this strength in attacking play was let down by a few moments of weakness in defence. Passionate play resulted in penalties being given away and a few missed tackles in the centres allowed Hastings to break through the line and the final score was 22-19.
As well as the try-scorers, there were some real positives to take away for both veterans, Andy Cooke and Paul Redford, were real leaders and kept up such a work rate that they truly led by example. Welshman Scott James signed for Chelmsford on the morning of the game and his enthusiasm for his new team was outstanding. James was excellent under the high ball and put in a very impressive shift off the bench. Another standout player was Ross Toomey, who played out of position in the backs and put his body on the line for his team, time and again.
Director of Rugby, Blackmore, said, “It was a disappointing result but a more connected performance in many ways than the game against Bromley. I want to win every games but the main objectives for the game, were for us to see some progress with our defensive and attacking processes and, in that respect, I think we are moving in the right direction.”

The next game Chelmsford play, will mark the start of their league campaign and it will be interesting to see how they fare in the league.