The first game of the 2024/25 season saw Chelmsford 1st XV travel to Magnolia Way, home of Rochford RFC. After a good win in a pre season friendly against Ipswich, the previous week, the stage was set for a free flowing game that saw ex Colts James Easdown and Noah Booth and new recruit Anup Ale make their 1st XV debuts.

The opening 10 minutes were fast and furious, lots of knock on's and handling mistakes were on view. The first score came from the visitors as the right wing was exploited and an initial break was made. Cavey picked from a scrum and made good inroads into the Rochford defence. A second drive in midfield saw the ball swiftly passed to the left wing that saw Noah Pyne skip over for the first try converted by Jamie Morrish - Rochford 0 Chelmsford 7.

The Chelmsford scrum was starting to get the upper hand as Harry Sturge and Ash Browne was dominating in the front row. After an initial loose line out, Joel Barker hit Ronan Kelly and again Cavey found Will Cooper on the charge who was just held up short of the line. With the forwards running right, the backs ran left and Anup Ale scored his first try for the club - Rochford 0 Chelmsford 12

The next try would be a real psychological blow for Rochford as Cavey was ‘held up’ just short of the line. A five metre scrum saw all the homes sides efforts focus on stopping the push over try only for captain Scott James dance over the line like Amy Dowden from close range! Rochford 0 Chelmsford 19.

The Chelmsford forwards were continuing to dominate as they moved their point of attack from left to right. Barker hit the line out again. Cooper went on the charge once again and a superbly weighted pass from Jack Lavin to James then saw James Gadd glide over for his first try again converted by Morrish - Rochford 0 Chelmsford 26.

With 10 minutes of the first half remaining Rochford finally managed to get a foothold in the game. A good break from their centre saw the ‘Men in Black’ score their first try of the game. Chelmsford continued the charge however and as the referee brought play back for a penalty the tap found Barker who found Cavey. Five metres short saw Alex Hutchinson find Lavin in midfield and Morrish found Gadd for his second try of the game. Rochford 6 Chelmsford 33.

The final 5 minutes of the half saw Rochford have their best spell of the game. Their second converted try from a Rochford catch and drive saw a scrum reset. An infringement from the set piece however saw Rochford eventually bundle over for five points and a conversion. The home sides tails were up and as Ale was penalised for a rap around tackle, Chelmsford found themselves down to 14 men for 10 minutes. The final action of the first half saw Gadd make a fantastic last ditch tackle in the right hand corner of the pitch. Half time score Rochford 14 Chelmsford 33.

The start of the second half was played at a slower pace but still the game was in the Rochford final third. For the first 15 minutes of this half the game was scrappy and had little pattern. Both sides were trying to exert themselves for the final push and the game reignited with a great team try. From a solid scrum in the Chelmsford 22 metre line Lavin found the midfield of James and Ale who set Gadd off down the right wing. This move then broke down only to be spun from right to left that eventually saw Pyne dot down for his second try - Rochford 14 Chelmsford 40.

The final try came in the last 10 minutes of the game. A break down the left found Pyne a Kelly link. This then found Josh Smith who was held up 5 metres out. From this Rochford infringement Cavey who again found Barker, Ale and Pyne went over for his third and final try. Rochford 14 Chelmsford 45. A good solid start to the league season. Well done you Blueboys.

Team - Harry Sturge, Joel Barker, Ash Brown, James Easdown, Will Cooper, Frankie Hart, Ronan Kelly, Josh Cavey, Alex Hutchison, Jack Lavin, James Gadd, Scott James, Anup Ale, Noah Pyne, Jamie Morrish, Josh Smith, Ugo Eze and Harry Moseley.