An overcast, dark and damp day saw our Blue Boys 3rd XV take to the field with many players choosing to wear their scrumcaps to help keep the drizzle off their heads against our near neighbours down the A130 Runwell Wyverns. Hopes were high that the lads could put on a good show in front of the home crowd and travelling Runwell supporters and as it is on these dark autumnal Saturday afternoons open expansive rugby is in short supply however both teams tried to play an expanse game against the elements.

Play was sporadic to say the least, and with Runwell playing down the slope with the wind and rain they were unlucky to meet a resident Blue Boy 3s side who worked hard in defence. The much larger Runwell pack at times couldn't keep their momentum or pace with their backs and found themselves isolated allowing Chelmsford to find holes and gaps that gave the opportunities. In doing so Crouch Jr scored a well worked try after his fine solo effort and slight of foot after 4 minutes.

The game was now being played in the middle of the park and mistakes were being made by both sides. The lighter, youthful and mobile Chelmsford pack started to enjoy the better of their counterparts. Wendy, Cuthill, Wainwright Jr and Howe Jr worked hard for their teammates. It was a full 14 mins into the game when A Toomey sped down his wing after good interplay from the forwards lead by Calver, Allen, Baya and Fage in support and with the fizz of Bailey at scrum half found Toomey in space to blitz down the touchline and cross in the order for Chelmsford's second try. Toomey touched down again after a further 28 mins on his opposite wing for his second, and that was the tale of the half. The normally reliable Cramphorn sadly had a day to forget off the tee and his 3 kicks went wide. Half time Chelmsford led 15-0.

A quick team talk at half time and again change of personnel and with the wind behind them the Blue Boy 3s should have opened Runwell up and ran them off the park as their players were getting tired however Runwell came back into the game with purpose and intent. Against the run of play and a Runwell attack Pringle found himself with a loose ball on the ground and with a low swop picked up the ball and ran off unopposed to dot down under the posts after 2 minutes. Cramphorn slotted the conversion Blue Boys 3s 22 Runwell 0.

Runwell then started to play some good rugby and their players seemed energised, and it wasn't long that their pressure on the Chelmsford line paid off and scored their first of three tries and converted, making it 22-7. The afternoon now started turning darker, and the rain upped its participation and again, having lost the influential Baya to the sin bin if it was a bit messy. Reed and N Pyne Jr we're now on the paddock and getting involved in the game. Cramphorn made his way to the try line but missed the kick. 27 - 7 to the home team.

Runwell were calm and credit to them started to play a tighter game, their recycling was good, and it wasn't long before they scored another two tries but the conversions went wide, this then spurned them on. 27 - 15 to Chelmsford. The last 10 minutes of the game continued with mistakes, and the man in the middle favouring the away team with his whistle featuring heavily a lesson Chelmsford must learn in the closing stages. Chelmsford did score on the 40 minute mark and with the conversion missed finished 32-15 winners on the day.

Although the game wasn't a great spectacle to watch, everyone who played tried hard to play a meaningful game and credit to both sides for the effort shown in challenging conditions. This puts Chelmsford up to 4th with Runwell in 3rd in the league, respectively. Thanks, go to Runwell Wyverns and their traveling support along with everyone who came to watch the lads.

Next up for our Blue Boy 3rd XV, we see them on the road to neighbours Billericay 2s away on Saturday 7th December. Team:- Allen, Calver, Cuthill, Fage, Moore, Wainwright Jr, Baya, Howe Jr, Bailey, Cramphorn, Toomey, Crouch Jr, Dawson, Keir, Wood, Hunt, Burns, Pringle, Pyne Jr, Reed.