Harlow 37 Datchworth 14

EDF Energy Senior Vase - 3rd Round

Harlow produced a very businesslike performance to knock Datchworth out of the EDF Energy Senior V, the new RFU National Competition for clubs in the divisional leagues. They now wait with interest to know who they will draw for the third round on 9^th December. Next Saturday they are off to Bury St Edmund’s for more league action against the side that many consider favorites to take the title.

The Rams can take a lot of confidence from the result on Saturday when they had several players from the previous week missing and were still able to field a side able to deliver six quality tries, with both forwards and backs making their mark. Perhaps the most important thing this year is that they have a successful second team and have been able to move players between the top two sides without compromising on performance. So different from the story two years ago when if they could not get their first choice players out they were in serious trouble.

Almost from the start Harlow took hold of the game with full back  Francis Brown coming into the line at pace for a try in the corner. From the re-start the Rams were back on the attack with both forwards and backs getting involved in complex handling.  Ten minutes in fly half Nick Ford dummied a pass to his centre and cut in between two defenders for the second try and a 10 – 0 lead. Datchworth managed two or three attacks down the slope but it was still the men in red shirts calling most of the shots. On 25 minuses the ball moved wide to the right and again Brown found himself running at the defence. He was tackled just short of the line but not cleanly held and was able to make a massive one handed stretch to touch the ball over the line. Despite a difficult breeze Ford slotted the conversion for 17 – 0 lead. The Harlow pack had been pressuring the line throughout and from a penalty kick to the corner Snow took clean ball and the rolling maul was set. With great control they ground towards the line and it was tight head Paul Prindiville who forced his way over for the try. In the closing minutes of the half  Datchworth produced a period of play in the Harlow half and got onto the score sheet thanks to a try from their loose head prop converted by their fly half for a 22 – 7 scoreline at the turnaround.

Although with the slope in their favour Harlow did not start the second half with the pressure of the first. A second converted try from the visitors cut the margin to 22 – 14 and perhaps gave them the idea that the game could be rescued.  Some very accurate touch kicking from Ford kept the play well away from the danger zone as Harlow re-grouped to retake their hold. A good attack by the forwards saw Mark Pickett the Harlow no7 stopped just short of the line. Gary Brown who had come on at loose head helped to give Harlow ascendancy in the set scrums.  Eventually with about 20 minutes to go winger Matt Howard cut in to mid field and took a pass at pace.  His run was directed towards the corner but as he saw the defence drifting wide to cover he cut inside to touch down for the try making it 27 – 14. A better margin but still only two scores so when Harlow were awarded a penalty Eynon took the safe option and called up Ford to put it between the posts for 30 – 14 and the all important 3 score margin.  From a penalty Harlow kicked for the corner and tried to set the maul but the move broke down and Datchworth cleared. Minutes later a similar opportunity saw the maul set very cleanly and moving towards the line with scrum half Harron hovering behind and calling the moves. As it approached the try line ball carrier Paul Scott went for the touch down and was far too strong for the defence. Ford was on target with the kick making it 37 -14 at the close.

Tries: Francis Brown (2), Nick Ford, Paul Prindiville, Paul Scott, Matt Howard 

Conversions: Nick Ford (2)

Penalties: Nick Ford

1. - Ben Branch (Sub 50mins Gary Brown)

2. - Scott Romaine (Sub 50mins Martin Mallia)

3. - Paul Prindiville

4. - Paul Scott

5. - Paul Eynon (Captain)

6. - Jon Snow

7. - Mark Pickett

8. - Kain Claridge

9. - Lee Harron

10. - Nick Ford

11. - Simon Vanbeck

12. - Sean Banks

13. - Andrew Vanston (Sub 65 mins Wayne Heapy)

14. - Matt Howard

15. - Francis Brown

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