The Chelmsford first team was the only one from the club in action over the weekend as matches were called off left right and centre due to frozen pitches and the Sunday snow, writes Annie Coulson.

Despite the ice, the 1st XV found themselves facing Old Cooperians at Coronation Park in Chelmsford on Saturday, with a strong and determined team.

The return of several injured players seemed to invigorate the team and Chelmsford put out a confident and hungry team, with the players from cancelled games rallying to support the beleaguered squad.

From the off, the competition was fierce and the play was passionate with spirits running high and Chelmsford saw both Phil Dechamps and Johnny Milburn sin-binned after a series of remonstrations by the referee.

Not only did the Blue Boys bring home their first win of the season but they did so by a strong margin. After their near miss in Romford the Saturday before last, Chelmsford beat Old Cooperians convincingly 29–13.

The game was forward heavy throughout and the Chelmsford forward pack dominated from the off. It was second rower, Nick Crouch, who set the Blue Boys on course for their victory by scoring the first try.

Scrum-half Warren Woodward had an excellent game and scored two tries for Chelmsford whilst prop Dave Hyett also crossed the try line.

This was a team who worked well together; the return of experienced players saw the squad reading the game, and the opposition, well.

The team put up a much stronger defence than in previous weeks and made much better decisions, keeping the ball in hand with the forwards driving the ball up the pitch.

Particularly strong performances from Crouch, Anthony Butt, and number 8, Andrew Cooke, saw huge amounts of ground gained and Chelmsford came away with the result they’ve worked so hard to achieve.

The team have one more game before the Christmas break and hope to keep up their new found success as they face Rochford Hundred at Coronation Park, Chelmsford.