Diss 12 Harlow 10

London League Division 3

Harlow put up a superb challenge to second placed Diss on Saturday but just could not finish it off with the final three points needed. For the first thirty minutes neither side could make a dent in the others defence. Harlow established their dominance in the lineout early on and made good ground from the rolling mauls. The rucks were more of a problem, although Harlow had their share of possession they were not able to move the ball quickly and the Diss backs had time to establish a good defensive line. Diss looked strong with ball in hand but wasted a lot of possession with deep kicks which were for the most part well covered by Howard and Smith leading to Harlow counter attacks. Around the Half hour Harlow had a good period of possession in the Diss half and applied a lot of pressure with the rolling maul. The home side held on however and from a breakout took play to the Harlow end from where they set up a forward drive to score a converted try. They continued to keep Harlow back in their own half but then almost on half time the Harlow backs got the ball wide and Vanbeck ran in a good 35 yard try breaking a determined tackle attempt on the way. Nick Ford slotted an excellent conversion to make it 7 points all at the turnaround.

The second half was an equally dour affair with the defence holding firm until after about 20 minutes Diss kicked to the corner. Two of their players followed up opposed by two Harlow defenders. The ball bounced back towards the line and the referee adjudged it to have come off a Harlow player and on the Diss touchdown awarded the try. It gave them a 12 - 7 lead although there was a strong possibility it had come from a Diss knock forward. Diss defended their lead strongly to the extent that at different time they had two players yellow carded for killing the ball. Unfortunately the penalties were out of range but with 15 minutes to go Ford slotted a penalty from 35 yards to cut the margin to 2 points. Harlow continued to apply pressure but could not break the defence and Diss were very careful in the closing minutes not to offer any more chances to the in-form Nick Ford.

The result drop Harlow back to fifth place one point behind Romford but the contest is still open with the first and third teams, Eton Manor and Ipswich both losing. A problem for Manor with their second defeat in 8 days when it had until them looked as it the top promotion slot was already theirs. This weekend Harlow are at home to Campion, a game which if at full strength they should win. With the league so close however a simple win is not enough, they need a good points difference.

Tries: Simon Vanbeck

Conversions: Nick Ford

Penalties: Nick Ford

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

3. Paul Prindiville (Sub Gary Brown)

4. James Grover

5. Paul Scott

6. Jon Snow

7. Mark Pickett
8. Paul Eynon (Captain)
9. Jake Kent-Pope
10. Nick Ford
11. Lee Smith

12. David Stradling
13. Gary Stanley
14. Simon Vanbeck

15. Matt Howard (Sub Alasdair Phillips)

View league table - click here

To view more match reports - click here