Harlow 27 Campion 19

London League Division 3

Harlow made heavy weather of beating Campion on Saturday although an interception try in the closing minutes by the visitors make the game look closer that indicated by the flow of play. To summarise Harlow performed well in the first half but lacked the precision needed in the second.

Campion started strongly and it soon became clear that their backs were going to be a threat.  They pegged the Rams back into their own 22 and were first onto the scoreboard with a well worked try.  After about 10 minutes Harlow began to settle and used the pace of their forwards to harry the visitors in broken play. Good lineout ball and fast recycling kept Campion well back in their own half and a good break by the backs allowed Gary Stanley playing at centre to cut in for a try near the corner. Nick Ford slotted a long conversion for a 7 – 5 lead, From the restart Harlow were back into the attack and came close twice in the backs, first a good solo break by Ford but with the final pass just forward and then a kick to the corner for Vanbeck which bounced in favor of the defenders. As often happens when defending under pressure the visitors conceded a penalty and Ford found touch about 8 yards out. Grover caught cleanly and set the maul. After a few paces it stopped but the Rams rolled the ball off the edge and went again and this time there was no mistake. They made the line and hooker Martin Mallia was credited with the touchdown. Ford was just wide with the kick but at 12 – 5 Harlow seemed in control. A third try came soon after again starting with a forward drive towards the line. This time Lee Harron gathered and made a dive for the line only to have the ball kicked back from his hands. James Grover however was right behind him and took a very difficult catch and stepped in to tough down. Ford added to two points for a 19 – 5 lead. Close on half time Harlow extended the lead with a great try running through four pairs of hands to put Simon Vanbeck into the corner making it 24 – 5 at the turnaround.

In the second half Campion made much better use of the extra weight in the pack and for much of the game kept Harlow pegged back in their own half. When Harlow did break out of defence they found it hard to produce a good attacking platform. Campion closed the gap to 24 – 12 with a good try and conversion. Going into the final quarter Harlow started to get more possession and forced a penalty about 35 yards out. Eynon called up Ford who put in cleanly between the posts making it 27 – 12. Not the most exciting move but sound tactics putting the margin beyond two converted tries. With ten minutes to go Harlow launched a good attack through their backs but a careless pass allowed the Campion centre to intercept and with all the Rams backs committed in attack he had a clean 70 yard run to score. The conversion made it 27 – 19. Stung by this Harlow threw everything at the visitors but could not quite find the penetration to compensate for their mistakes and the game ended at the existing score.

Harlow’s next league encounter is on 4^th March against league leaders Eton Manor. It is probably too late to influence the outcome of the league but they would really like to avenge the one point defeat in the home leg at the start of the season.

Tries: Gary Stanley, Martin Mallia, James Grover, Simon Vanbeck

Conversions Nick Ford (2)

Penalties: Nick Ford

(Follow links to player profiles)
1. James Ephgrave
2. Martin Mallia (Sub Scott Romaine)

3. Gary Brown

4. Paul Scott

5. James Grover
6. Jon Snow
7. Mark Pickett
8. Paul Eynon (Captain)
9. Lee Harron (Sub Jake Kent-Pope)
10. Nick Ford
11. Simon Vanbeck

12. Gary Stanley

13.  Wayne Morgan
14. Matt Howard

15. Andrew Vanston

(Sub not used Matt Davis)

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