Competent capable 2’s capture the points at Chilly Chelmsford.

The Epping boys welcomed back Jake Philps from his self-imposed home building exile and he produced a fine virtuoso performance at 10 in terrible conditions. Two new lads from London town made impressive debuts strengthening the back line with Shads and (still waiting for the jug) Dinners.

George won the toss and choose to play down the slope with the wind and snow at our backs. With this massive advantage the lads took control of the game early on. The first try came from a line out where Philps and Dinners combined beautifully to open up the Chelmo defence for a stylish well worked try.

Chelmsford were struggling to clear their lines and Epping piled on the pressure with the backs looking lively. Another well worked line out led to the hungry Caleb going on mazy run and providing the final pass for Dinners to score his second.

With the weather conditions worsening the game started to get understandably scrappy with multiple scrums, Crouchinator and the Hairy Biker Ayres were more than holding their own against the much older and larger oppo front row, ably supported by the powerhouse combination of Deano and Procel in the engine room. Liam O’Connor was enjoying himself playing as a big boy for the first time, quote “yeah I enjoyed it and it’s much warmer playing in the back row”.

Swalsey scored his 2nd try of the season and Clapton’s 3rd on the day with a lung busting fall over the line after Scott Stally had powered his way to the line. 19-0 at half time, good but would it be enough against the slope and conditions?

As anticipated Chelmsford improved and the club needed to defend well playing the majority of the game in their own half but we always had the upper hand on the break. Scott Stalley powerfully broke the line and with yours truly on hand in support for what seemed to be a simple pass and score he took on the full back who made a half tackle, Scott waited for a 2nd defender to join in before muscularly driving both with him over the last 10 yards and stretching out for the line. Maybe next week.

As the game progressed it was our defence that shone through with Liam Rodgers again making many a huge tackle and Deano timing his hits round the fringes driving Chelmsford back.

Dinners scored his 3rd for the day and decided that as it was very cold, his job was done and quickly made off for the warmth of the showers citing a hurty knee.

Scott scored his second. Shads made a powerful run beating several defenders, he drove hard out of a would be tackle then showed a clean pair of heels to the covering defence. To everyone’s delight the ref decided that was enough and we all went to thaw out with a shower and tasty stew n’mash in the clubhouse.

7 tries 6 converted by Harry equals 47 points.

I nearly forgot to mention that Chelmsford scored because of the mischievous ill-disciplined captain of ours, and he’s very very sorry and he won’t do it again, he promised!

Just for the record last weeks forgotten try scorer was the hairy biker he got two not just the one as mentioned in last weeks report..