A home fixture on a November afternoon for Chelmsford Blue Boys 3s to dust of their boots having not played for a couple of weeks. On this occasion both sides put on a worthy display of open, expansive and honest rugby against a Southend side who wanted to entertain the spectators in the same vein on an overcast Autumnal day as the 3s. For the home side it was a day to express themselves having had a couple of weeks rest due to no league/friendly fixtures and “Wendy’s” Weekend Warriors gave a good account in the process. This team is made up of the more seasoned and senior player looking to play a hard but fair game with a smattering of youngsters to help bring the teams average age down considerably.

Southend started the brightest playing down the slope and found themselves two converted scores ahead within the first six minutes. The second score by their impressive winger who had a great game it must be said who went on the score a hat-trick on his debut may find himself playing higher up at Southend in the very near future. Chelmsford were then stunned into action and were being ably led by the welcome return of Prior, Pikey and the effervescent Sany who defy their ages as they galloped round for the full 80 mins. The impactful Couling and Calver also made themselves known around the park with some telling runs and it wasn’t long before good interplay and some mazy running from Joe at 9 who managed to evade would-be tackles and score the first of the Blue Boys 3s nine tries.

It was then Southend’s turn who took their opportunities and again their impressive winger evaded plenty of tackles to cruise in under the posts from the halfway line for his second after 18 mins. The tide was about to turn however in Chelmsford’s favour and oppressing the opposition they denied Southend of anything useful. Chelmsford beat down the Southend door and with some masterful strokes from the forwards who made ground time and time with Wendy and his charges displaying some entertaining rugby finally allowing the silky skilled Crouch Jr to score his first after 25 mins and then his second after 35 mins to start the Chelmsford come back.

It was the dynamic duo of Crouch Jr and Olive in the centres who were at the heart of many Chelmsford attacks, moving the ball when needed and showing control making a balanced partnership playing off Cramphorn at 10 who moved the ball well and displayed a good kicking game. Keir, Hayward and last season colt W Knight managed to find themselves with ball in hand out wide on several occasions showing Chelmsford’s expansive intent.

Another young colt from last season Howe Jr came on towards the end of the first half and looked committed with ball in hand and scrummaged well with Sany and Pike educating him on the way it is. By now the Chelmsford pack were making it a bit uncomfortable for the Southend scrum to manage at times. It was fitting Cramphorn scored a try through hard work. He also managed to convert 6 of the Chelmsford tries during the game. As the half time break approached Chelmsford again upped the tempo going uphill, they had a great attacking move resulting with the ball in Hugo Keir’s hands and he dance through a number of broken tackles to score a fine try. Half time score Chelmsford 31 – Southend 21 to the home team.

At half time the team where calm and knew they had a job to do playing down the slope in the second half. A few changes were made to allow McLaughlan and O’Flynn to join the fray, Styrin made way for W Knight at 9 and Hayward took a short rest. McLaughlan slotted into 10 and Stanford and Seeley joined the pack along with Anderson. Wainwright took a break after a good shift and Calver had to leave. It was now brightening up and it was not long before Joe now at fullback scored for Chelmsford.

Southend then had their purple patch with two converted tries and by this time everyone had lost count of the score line and just enjoyed the open rugby both sides were intent on playing. Hugh Keir touched down for his second, Sany bulldozed his way to the line for his only try and O’Flynn finished the Chelmsford scoring after a one man display of running rugby and tackle evasion. Southend did manage to have the final say on the day after good interplay and scored the last try of the game which by now seemed that the clock was well into the red by a full 10 mins when the referee who also had a good game blew for full time.

All in all, a good performance from everyone who played in this breathless entertaining game. It would seem age and youth can mix, and this game provided a good education the new lads and youngsters who played needed. Thank you to everyone who came and watched from both teams, and we hope you will come and support these lads in their next game.

Report - Thanks goes to Jim Howe
Photo Credit - Brian Purdy