Let’s start by establishing that it was muddy.

We had played OBs in the cup a few weeks earlier and won comfortably. However, they had spent some time bedding in the new players that came across from Brentwood and presented a much tougher challenge this time out.

Chelmsford started strongly but hadn’t adapted their game to the conditions, with ambition causing mistakes.

We went to half time at 7 all, but then conceded two tries in quick succession at the beginning of the second half. The boys deserve a lot of credit for regrouping at that point and working their way back into the game, earning a draw that felt like a win with a late converted try. They celebrated with some mud slides.

Our tries were scored by our inside centre, who got two, and our hooker/ prop with his first try for the club. Congratulations also to our other prop, making his debut. Credit also to goal kickers on both sides, 100% success being remarkable in the conditions.

The boys will have learnt a good lesson about adapting their game to the conditions. However, the real story was what can be achieved through team spirit and maximum effort all the way to the end of the game.

Match report by Coach Andy.