Ipswich 24 Harlow 17

London League Division 3

In an excellent game of competitive rugby Harlow showed how well they have improved recently by pushing the home side throughout and coming within a score of beating them.

Following a long journey because of the awful traffic conditions the match kicked off an hour late and had to be finished under floodlights. Harlow started brightly but after ten minutes Ipswich mounted their first attack and were awarded a penalty which was converted by their winger Hadwen. A few minutes later and the home side again profited from Harlow’s indiscipline Hadwen adding another three points.

This stung the Rams into action and the pack mauled well and  worked hard to get into the opposition’s twenty two. When the ball was released it was outside centre James McFerran who cut inside to be stopped on the line but the ball was recycled quickly by Lee Harron to Harlow Skipper Paul Eynon who scored a well deserved try.

Fly half Phil Ellis put over the conversion.

Harlow’s joy was short-lived as, from the kick off, Ipswich won possession as the ball bobbled about and their hooker crossed the line, leaving Harlow trailing by 7 points to 18, the conversion from Hadwen. Mcferran then went close with a long range penalty attempt but it was the home side who extended their lead with a penalty from their fly half Locke.

Harlow started the second half with purpose their forwards continuing the excellent work of the first period. They held their own in the scrummages and Jon Snow was outstanding in the line outs and in broken play. The Harlow maul caused a lot of problems for Ipswich but the Harlow try came from a cleverly worked line out. Winger Lee Smith left the field after ten minutes to be replaced by Ian Rundall. Harlow were now on the offensive. The ball was thrown long to Mark Pickett who tapped to down to Eynon. The Harlow Number 8 made a break round the end of the line and shrugged off defenders to score his second try. A well struck conversion from Ellis and Harlow had closed the gap to one converted try.

Harlow continued to get the better of the game for the rest of the match and Robert Cochrane coming on for flanker Sean Roberts brought fresh legs into the attack. Harlow had another long range penalty attempt during the last ten minutes but Ipswich kept them out and showed why they have moved up to second in the table.

Harlow can be pleased with their contribution to this exciting game and will get even better.

Tries: Paul Eynon (2)

Penalties: Phil Ellis (2)

(Follow links to player profiles)
 

1. James Ephgrave

2. Scott Romaine

3. Paul Prindiville (Sub Will Bayford)

4. Jon Snow

5. Paul Scott

6. Shaun Roberts (Sub Robert Cochrane)

7. Mark Pickett
8. Paul Eynon (Captain)

9. Lee Harron
10. Phil Ellis
11. Lee Smith (Sub Ian Rundall)

12. Scott Thorne

13. James McFerran

14. Simon Vanbeck

15. Matt Howard

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