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Harlow 1st XV 27 Braintree 15 Pre-Season Friendly Harlow continued their preparation for the coming season with a workmanlike win over Braintree. Once again the pace of their backs always made them a threat to the visitors and Lee Smith in particular was outstanding running in two good tries and frequently coming off his wing to provide an extra pair of hands in other moves. In the forwards the return of James Grover has restored the Rams traditional dominance of the lineout and on Saturday they also used skipper Eynon to good effect as a second jumper to cause confusion to the opposition. Darren Dunn had a very good game at scrum half before the return of Lee Harron, in the latter stages, added a little extra excitement for the crowd. Within seconds his voice was ringing out directing moves from the base of the scrum and ruck. Given a little more time to work with Eynon Harlow will have a strong guiding hand on both scrum and backs. They are starting to work on moves based on the No. 8 pick up and these have real potential especially in the opposition 22.
Harlow started well and two good attacks down the wing were just stopped short before, on the next, Smith broke clear for his first try. McFerran converted and then minutes later Braintree cut the lead with a penalty. Harlow kept up the pressure but the visitors defence was able to hold out. Given a penalty chance they tightened their grip on the game with an extra 3 points from McFerran to turn round 10 – 3 ahead.
The Rams started the second half well with frequent excursions into the Braintree 22 and again it was Smith who left his winger trailing 10 yards adrift as he ran in for his second try. Another good attack took them close but this time it was the forwards driving for the line. With most of the Harlow pack powering their way over it was Jon Snow, the blind side flanker who got the touch down. Braintree was not prepared to concede and a well stolen ball at the ruck gave them a break out to put their backs clear for a try. Harlow hit back quickly with another attack moving the ball through the backs but this time it was lock Paul Scott on the end of the pass to take the ball over for a try near the posts. Billy Stanley slotted the conversion for a 27 – 8 lead. In the last move of the game a defensive error again let Braintree away, this time their centre chipped for the try line and was impeded in the chase by a Harlow player resulting in a penalty try, easily converted for 1 final score of 27 – 15.
Tries: Lee Smith (2), Jon Snow, and Paul Scott Penalty: James McFerran Conversions: James McFerran, Billy Stanley
Next weekend Harlow Start their league campaign against Bury St Edmunds. It is an important game and will give their first indication of the level of competition in London 3 North East. The club have made a number of new signings of former Harlow players returning to Ram Gorse. The club are delighted to welcome them back for what is its 50th season and is confident that they will help it to celebrate the anniversary both on and off the field. These are, Lee Harron (from Old Albanians), Matt Howard (From Bishop’s Stortford), Mark Pickett (From Cambourne School of Mines), Paul Prindiville (From Bishops Stortford), Billy Stanley (From Old Albanians), Shaun Roberts (From Brentwood), Martin Mallia (From Eton Manor), Rhys Loveday (From Bishops Stortford). Training has been going well under the guidance Matt Davies and Lee Harron with the largest number of players training for may years. It will take time for the squad to gel and reveal its full potential but the prospects look better than for some seasons.
(Follow links to player profiles)
15.
James McFerran
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