This weekend saw the opening of the new season and a real test for Chelmsford, as they trial new line ups under the new head coach, Kevin Blackmore.
There were clearly some areas for improvement but the hard work put in during preseason made for a much more cohesive team than last season. The team both used their set plays to great effect, and reacted well to the game in front of them.
Chelmsford’s first two tries came from controlled forward plays, with driving mauls allowing Nicolas Crouch to score twice. If the forwards had kept that controlled and determined play, they would have continued to drive through the Maldon forwards as the Chelmsford pack was definitely dominant throughout. However, messy play resulted in several penalties given away and Maldon managed to get a runaway try and a penalty on the board.
The pace of the game picked up then and the Chelmsford back line came into their own. Fullback, Ed Wild, was consistently under the high ball and ran some brilliant lines, resulting in a try scored under the posts just before half time.
The second half started strong and it was clear that Chelmsford was the fitter team, still keeping their defence strong and their attacking play on form. Number 8, Paul Redford, was a standout in the second half; he was consistently vocal and a solid leader on the pitch and he made some serious gains. Redford scored under the posts after a great run from the back of a scrum and he was responsible for setting up the next try as well. Scrum half, Tom Day, ran a brilliant line into support Redford as he offloaded the ball and scored under the posts. The final try of the game was scored in the final 5 minutes by Jobi Fisher, in his first game back at Chelmsford for several years. A brilliant and flashy pass by Crouch allowed Fisher to score by the posts.
Jordan Ayling, in his first season of senior rugby for Chelmsford, converted all 6 tries and the score at full time was 42-18 to Chelmsford.
Chelmsford’s veteran Undertakers also welcomed the new season with a 33-19 win at home against Old Brentwood whilst the newly formed 4th XV lost 30-10 at Maverick RFC.
Chelmsford Ladies went to West Norfolk for their first league game of the season. The Bluebirds were trialling a newly formed squad with debut performances from Maddy Hughes, Bethan Morgan, Stefania Evans, and Rosie Carpenter as well as a couple of returning players. Serious hard work from Evans resulted in Chelmsford’s only try, which was ultimately scored by captain, Mini Nowlan and converted by Karly Harrington. Unfortunately, missed tackles resulted in West Norfolk breaking through the defensive line time and time again and the score at full time was 54-7.