With Storm Darragh circling the UK and red weather warnings in place for the west coast it was pleasing the worst of "Darragh" decided to keep away to enable two Chelmsford Blue Boy sides to play a home fixture after last week's road trip to Norfolk. Wanstead have always fielded strong sides in any of their teams, so this was going to be a test for the younger more mobile Chelmsford lads.

Playing down the slope with the strong breeze on their backs it was a case of trying to rack up a first half score line and hope Wanstead get tired in the second half. With scrums being uncontested allowing the heavier Wanstead players some respite at scrum time as the Chelmsford pack who are looking more settled week on week and well lead by "Captain" Gardner have found their bootstraps and making any opposition pack work hard.

From the off the Blue Boys 2s went hunting and tried to play an attacking brand of rugby. Following good interplay between most of the team Charlie Sims sped down his wing brushing off tackles and scoring a fine try after three mins. It wasn't long Ross Toomey scored his first try with fantastic footwork reminiscent of a "Strictly" contestant to bamboozle most of the Wanstead backs to cross the whitewash after 6 mins. Charlie Harvey scored after 8 mins using his acceleration to race down his wing and score Chelmsford’s 3rd after good interplay.

The game was now breaking up with errors and having uncontested scrums it was a full 18 mins before Chelmsford scored again as Toomey scored his second this time out of the Rugby League handbook "nice and direct and take no prisoners". The weather started to play its part in the game and now muddy under foot and Chelmsford trying hard to control the game Baya who again had a fine game blasted through numerous defenders to get over the line on 39 mins. Styrin slotted 3 of the 5 kicks and Chelmsford lead 31 - 0.

The second half was being played in low light and both sides tried to play expansive rugby and it was now Wanstead who found their second gear and posted the first of two scores. Weak or no Chelmsford tackles allowed their second row to gallop a full 50 metres to score under the posts after 5 mins. The game ebbed and handling errors and conditions meant play was intermittent. After 25 mins Wanstead scored their second and had belief.

However, Chelmsford who played better up the hill into the cross wind started to dominate play. A few players started to cramp up. At 35 mins the fitter more mobile Chelmsford side rumbled uphill and it was mobile prop Tom Guy found himself on the receiving end after good interplay to score. As the game was closing out playmaker James McLaughlin who controlled a good game at 10 scored following another great effort.

The man in the middle blew for full time as the conversion sailed through the uprights making the second half score 12 points apiece and the final score 43 - 12 to Chelmsford Blue Boys 2s.As a game to watch it was quite disjointed yet both sides tried to play rugby against the elements. Had scrums been contested the Chelmsford pack could of been tested which is what they want to keep them improving. Week on week this settled side are looking better connected and want to play for each other and showcase their skills.

With new players and the Colts adding youth they are looking like they are beginning to relax and trust each other on the field. A minor work on being lineout cohesion and accuracy to ensure own ball is consistently won, it’s not far away. All in all another good performance. Thank you to Wanstead RFC for travelling and to all the spectators who braved the weather. Thank you to the man in the middle who controlled the game well. Next week the lads face off at home against against Harlow RFC 2s which will be a stern test. Don't forget the Christmas jumpers next week!

Team: - D Ball, J Calver, D Hunt, A Gardner, L Fage, F Hart, P Baya, M Jefferson, J Styrin, J McLaughlin, C Sims, J Hunter, R Toomey, C Harvey, J Young, N Howe, J Acorn, T Guy.