|
|
Harlow 1st XV 6 Eton Manor 7 London League Division 3
Harlow took on the early season league leaders at Ram Gorse on Saturday and produced one of the most exciting and hard fought contests seen there for many seasons. The can feel slightly hard done by that they did not take the points as they pressured the visitors very hard particularly in the second half. Manor had a number of talented and experienced overseas players in their squad and it is great that Harlow can match them man for man with a team all of whom are local and where sixteen of the 18 player squad came through the Harlow youth section.
For the first ten minutes Harlow playing up the slope had most of the possession and territory before a breakout by manor showed the talent and pace of their backs; sweeping down field and only being stopped just short of the try-line. Harlow countered and the visitors paid for their persistent offside when McFerran slotted a penalty for a three nil lead. Minutes later a penalty gave Manor a chance to move pay up-field and from that position they launched an attack which made the try line and was converted for a 3 – 7 lead. The game continued at a fierce pace and both sides had played yellow carded, a centre for Manor for shielding the ball carried and Scott Thorne for Harlow for playing the ball on the ground. In the latter stages Harlow had several chances of pulling back but could not clinch it. McFerran was inches wide with a second penalty attempt, Loveday almost go clear with ball in hand and finally a great interception by flanker Mark Pickett put him clear but he was well take by the visitor’s fullback.
Harlow started the second half well and an early penalty from McFerran cut the margin to 6 – 7. The game continued as a cut and thrust affair but as the half progressed Harlow began to dominate. Their forwards preformed well with the rolling maul and several times were held up just short of the line. In the set scrums they were less in control often leaving Harron at scrum half to cope with difficult ball from an unsteady platform. To his credit he distributed well but did not have the chances to launch the close quarters moves which are his trademark. Harlow seemed to have snatched it when a good blind side move from Pickett put Mat Howard over the line for the touchdown only for the final pas to be judged marginally forward. A good break by Vanbeck on the other wing almost made it but the visitors’ winger just had the pace to cut it off. The final ten minutes saw Harlow almost permanently in the visitors 22 and forcing three penalties, all of them too wide to be kickable. They opted for the touch kick to the corner but in each case Manor were able to keep out the Rams rolling maul and eventually with great relief to greet the final whistle. Penalties: James McFerran (2) (Follow links to player profiles) 3. Paul Prindiville 4. Jon Snow 5. James Grover 12. Rhys Loveday 15. James McFerran Next Saturday Harlow are away to Campion a very important game which will determine whether their good start to the season has firm foundations. The following week they are at home to Diss in another key encounter. To view more match reports - click here |
Click to enlarge Click to enlarge Click to enlarge Click to enlarge Click to enlarge |