Chelmsford’s Bluebirds were fortunate enough to get the opportunity for a rematch against Westcliff quicker than expected as they drew each other in the Women’s Plate Competition. Chelmsford faced Westcliff at home for a second time inside a month and this time they were determined to secure a win.

When the two teams met in the league earlier in the season, Chelmsford fought hard and scored 4 tries to Westcliff’s 3 but, due to a penalty scored by Westcliff and Chelmsford being unable to convert their tries, Westcliff took a narrow win. This time around, Chelmsford were determined to score under the posts!

After local flooding and several games already played at Coronation Park this weekend, the pitches were nigh unplayable and the conditions made for slow progress and scrappy play. The ball was slick with mud in a matter of minutes meaning that the ball was easily stolen and long passes were out of the question.

Chelmsford started the game receiving the ball and travelling up the slope, which they were not able to utilise as it was hard to gain momentum going uphill in the mud and the slick ball was hard to hold onto. Westcliff turned the ball over in the first ruck and this set the tone for the whole game, with both teams struggling to protect the ball in contact and the defending team taking the opportunity to rip the ball. Once Westcliff secured the ball, they were quick to capitalise on that and scored and converted a try after only 10 minutes.
In previous seasons, Chelmsford have struggled to come back after conceding a try, as if losing were a foregone conclusion but they have worked hard under new Head Coach, Matt Whiffin, and the rest of the coaching team to change this attitude and not rely on a solely defensive game. It is a testament to this hard work that Westcliff didn’t cross the whitewash again and Chelmsford were able to regroup and get back on the attack.

The first half saw Chelmsford focus on keeping Westcliff at bay and Westcliff were unable to gain much ground except for a good break made by Westcliff scrum half, Susan Cripps. Chelmsford’s ever dangerous fullback, Lucy Freeman, stopped Cripps in her tracks and the resultant scrum saw Chelmsford back in possession. Whilst they didn’t do much with that possession, they continued to hold off Westcliff and the score at half time was 0 – 7.

After regrouping at half time, some changes were made to the back line with Clare Bond at inside centre, Meg Cook moving to outside centre and Jessica Matthews on the wing and this punchy line up changed the game for Chelmsford. The forwards picked the ball from rucks and drove forward, opting to avoid passing the ball where possible, drawing in the opposition and giving the back line space. 15 minutes in to the second half, Meg Cook was able to crash through the opposition on the far right of the posts and, recalling the difficulties of the last clash with Westcliff, Cook looped round to score under the posts. Fly half, Amy Hays, in her debut game for Chelmsford, converted the try and the score was equalised.

With 20 minutes left, Westcliff hit back hard and it took a strong defence to keep them from scoring again. Fortunately, Westcliff were now travelling up the slope and Chelmsford had the advantage in difficult conditions. Chelmsford came up hard in defence and turned over the ball on several occasions with forwards managing to jackal the ball.

With 12 minutes left to play, Cook managed to score again and, once again, she scored under the posts. Cook ran straight down the centre of the pitch, through the midst of the opposition over 10 metres to score, slipping through the hands of the defence. Hays converted again bringing the score to 14 – 7 for the home team.

Chelmsford knew they just had to hold their lead for 12 minutes and the game continued to be physical and messy. Westcliff worked hard but Chelmsford shut them down at every turn and never allowed them near the Chelmsford 22 and the score at full time was 14 – 7.
This win sees Chelmsford progress to the quarter-finals of the Women’s Plate Competition. The next round will be on 16th February 2020, opposition to be confirmed. The Bluebirds’ next game is at home on 5th January 2020 against Harlow in the next round of the league.