Chelmsford Colts (Crusaders) v Basildon

A Mixed bag for our Div 2 team today, not short on effort but the real winner was the relentless heat. Basildon pitch was hard but had thick grass so the game playable.

The game was very even in the first 20 mins before the water break with Basildon nudging it with their enthusiastic players and error celebrations. Most of the play was in the middle of the field for some time at a frantic pace. As we expected with the new tackle law, players are still forgetting and both sides were guilty of high tackles and unfortunatly the Chelmsford lads were on the end of unseen late hits.

The second 20 the subs bench was unloaded to good effect. This was to give players a rest due to heat. We now started to get into the game more particularly at scrum where we started to dominate and get the better of the exchanges. The third 20 we were reshuffling the team due to injuries and missing skin. We did score a well worked try from a line out catch and drive and then a second well worked try from a line out passed through to Ollie Wall who at full pace powered his way over the tryline under the sticks. We ended the game with 14 men after a second yellow.

It was fortunate we had a few players help the squad following the home game cancellation.
For this Crusaders team we are learning and everyone who played today did play their part we just couldn't force our game plan and structure that we practice in training.

We go again next week.

Thank you to Basildon who always host well.

The Chelmsford boys enjoyed their cold soft drinks and BBQ post match.

Final score
Basildon U18- 31
Chelmsford Crusaders U18 -12

Thank you to everyone that came to support the lads today and help with vocal support and encouragement.