Bluebirds win a hard fought victory against Southwold Swallows

Sunday saw the Bluebirds welcome Southwold Swallows to Coronation Park on a dry and sunny day for what promised to be a fast paced game. Chelmsford started strong, with a team that looked cohesive and significantly better drilled than in previous weeks. Receiving in the first half, Chelmsford used their forward pods to crash the ball up the pitch and in a matter of a couple of minutes, Ella Alderton, Vicki Carcary, Annie Coulson, and Zoe Wager had drawn the opposition well and truly in, crashing the ball to within inches of the line, where the attack was reset and Maddy Hughes blazed through to score under the posts. Karly Harrington converted the try beautifully.
It is by no means the norm that Chelmsford score so quickly and the euphoria of seeing hard work (and the tireless efforts of coach David Ball) pay off, saw Chelmsford fight hard to keep Southwold back. Unfortunately, beginning to feel a little cocky perhaps, Chelmsford let their defence get scrappy and Southwold were able to score in the corner for an unconverted try.
With this reminder that the game was far from over, Chelmsford pulled themselves together and worked hard to turn the ball over and use that possession. Chelmsford used their forward pods to great advantage, creating space for fullback Lucy Freeman to punch through and score under the posts, making for a good conversion by Harrington. In the final moments of half time, Southwold were able to cross the line a second time, this time nearer the posts, for a converted try. Score at half time, 14 – 12

In the second half, Chelmsford were playing up the hill and, in previous games, this would usually have been it for Chelmsford. Often the Bluebirds have been lacking in replacement options and struggled to maintain momentum towards the end of the game but with the high of taking the lead in the first half, and fresh legs to come on, Chelmsford carried on the enthusiasm of the first half despite the hill working against them.
With a couple of injuries to more experienced players – hooker, Bethan Morgan, and centre, Amy Ironmonger – Chelmsford brought on some brand new players in a baptism of fire for the inexperienced ladies. Abigail Harman came on to hook in her first ever match, Bethany Robinson also played her debut game, moving to loosehead prop, and Shannon Mason moved in to the centres. Each and every one of the new players stepped up and got stuck in and had a real, positive impact on the pitch.
In an excellent play by Southwold, the Swallows drew the entire Chelmsford team into the small area surrounding a ruck a few feet from the try line before chipping the ball back into the centres and scoring their third try, which was not converted.
With the score now in Southwold’s favour, Chelmsford never let their heads drop and with only a few minutes to go, the relentlessly excellent Freeman out ran the entire Southwold team to score under the posts again, and Harrington secured her third and final conversion.
Each team scored three tries apiece but the quality of those tries - and therefore the likelihood of their conversion - was significantly in Chelmsford’s favour and, in the end, the win came down to the conversion of those tries.
Chelmsford have struggled this season and it was great to see their training pay off, not only in their eventual win, but also in their attitude throughout the game. Final score 21-17 to Chelmsford.
March 3rd sees Chelmsford travel away to Bury to face the top team in the league, kick off 2pm.