Rochford 9 Harlow 22

London League Division 3

Read Rochford's Report Click here (when published)

Harlow produced a well controlled win in their league encounter with Rochford on Saturday. With Rochford one place above Harlow and with home advantage counting for a lot in this competition this was going to be a tough game. In the early stages it was, but the Rams progressively took control and came out winners with three great tries and a penalty to three penalties. Kicking has often been a problem for Harlow but not in this match with fly half Nick Ford slotting three from four attempts. The win moves Harlow up to fourth place in the league and makes their remaining matches even more important.

Rochford started strongly breaking down the first few attempt by Harlow to get into space and slotting a long penalty to take an early lead.  After fifteen minutes they slotted a second penalty when Harlow killed the ball at the ruck and minutes later missed with a very long speculative attempt at a third. Harlow however were beginning to read the game much better and made several good breaks; skipper Paul Eynon made hard yards with one attack and with flanker Mark Pickett always on hand to spoil Rochford possession.  On twenty minutes Harlow won the ball midfield and Harron launched his backs. A long pass went out to Simon Vanbeck who was playing at inside centre rather than his usual wing slot. He took the ball on the move and totally outpaced three defenders to run in a try close to the posts; Nick Ford converted to give Harlow a lead 6 – 7. Rochford had several opportunities when their backs broke out but the Harlow cover and tackling was always solid. In the run up to half time Harlow prop Gary Brown ripped away Rochford ball and charged up field making 30 yards before he was held. The pack set up a good maul on the Rochford 22 before moving the ball out and a long miss pass to Matt Howard coming in from his wing set up a second great try which, with two more points from Ford, took the Rams into the interval with 6 – 14 lead. 

The third quarter was a cut and thrust affair with solid defending by both sides. Harlow were, as usual, able to dominate the line outs with Scott getting Grover six feet into the air and Mallia throwing with pinpoint accuracy. The Rams also mauled well with honours even at the rucks and set scrums. On sixty minutes Rochford slotted a third penalty cutting the Harlow lead to 9 – 14; more importantly a single score margin. As the game went into the final quarter however the Harlow pack started to take more control. The rolling mauls were making serious ground with great ball control. Rochford had to defend with desperation and the penalties conceded allowed Harlow to use the long kick to keep play pegged back in the home team half. The climax came with 15 minutes to go. Harlow put a penalty into touch about 10 metres from the try line. Setting the maul from the throw they moved towards the line but Rochford collapsed it. Again they kicked for the corner and tried to roll the ball over and again Rochford pulled it down. This time one of their props was yellow carded for what the referee judges a professional foul. Harlow had one more attempt on the line but Rochford managed to move play back towards their 22 before conceding another penalty. The temptation was to kick for the corner and repeat the maul because after that may penalties another infringement would almost certainly mean a penalty try. With the clock running down however Eynon chose the safe option and called up Ford to slot a penalty and restore a two score lead at 9 – 17. In the final move of the game Harlow consolidated their position when Harron put a lovely kick into the corner and winger Lee Smith out sprinted two defenders to the touch down. Ford was slightly wide with the conversion but the whistle went for a 9 – 22 win.

Tries: Simon Vanbeck, Matt Howard, Lee Smith

Conversions: Nick Ford (2)

Penalties: Nick Ford

(Follow links to player profiles)
1. Gary Brown (Sub James Ephgrave)
2. Martin Mallia (Sub Tommy Johnson)

3. Paul Prindiville

4. Paul Scott

5. James Grover
6. Shaun Roberts (Sub Jon Snow)

7. Mark Pickett
8. Paul Eynon
9. Lee Harron
10. Nick Ford
11. Lee Smith

12. Wayne Morgan
13. Simon Vanbeck
14. Matt Howard

15. Andrew Vanston

Next Saturday is a major weekend for Harlow. A few weeks ago they celebrated founding of the club. This weekend is the 50^th Anniversary of their first ever game.  A whole weekend of celebrations is planned. On Saturday Harlow play Sudbury in what is now a critical league match with first team sponsors Whiskers Solicitors hosting the pre match lunch. At the lunch John Roberts of Whiskers will unveil a plaque in memory of the late president of HRUFC John Hurley.  In the evening there is the 50^th Anniversary Dinner with guest speaker Gareth Chilcott and a number of guests from the rugby community headed by LeRoy Angel, President of the RFU.  On Sunday there will be a match between President’s XVs from Harlow and Brentwood, the opponents in the first ever match 50 years ago. That will also be preceded by a pre match celebration lunch

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