Harlow fought very hard for the points at Ram Gorse on Saturday; Diss have been struggling with a long injury list this season but not this time. They only fielded eight of the players who lost at Braintree so the Rams faced the team much closer to the one that took the Norfolk club to the play offs last year. Last week it was the Harlow backs that dominated the play, this time it was good use of the rolling maul that snatched the points after two early mistakes had conceded the visitors a first half lead. The other critical factor was the return of Nick Ford at fly half, he kicked 10 vital points and equally important his kicking from hand was excellent clearing a number Diss attacks with pinpoint touch finding.

Harlow spent the first ten minutes in the Diss half and launched a number of good runs at the try line. The visitors defence however was very tight and whether the ball was moved wide or taken in by the forwards there was no way through. The only benefit from this phase of the game was after about 15 minutes when Ford slotted an easy penalty for a 3 point lead. When they did get possession Diss had frequently kicked it away and good fielding by F. Brown and Howard under the high ball had allowed the home side some good counter attacking chances. It was however just such a counter attack that let Diss in. A long pass to the Harlow centres who were out of position did not carry and allowed Diss skipper Ian Gibb to scoop up a loose ball and run in an easy try; converted for a 3 – 7 lead. At 30 minutes again a Harlow error let them in; this time a chip kick was half charged down and once again Gibb was on hand to run in for the score and a 3 – 14 lead. Although they had the best of the territory Harlow could not penetrate a strong defence although in the closing minutes another penalty from wide out allowed Ford to cut it to 6 – 14 at half time.

With the slope in their favour Harlow started the second half well. Early attacks on both wings were easily stopped because the ball was not moving out fast enough giving Vanbeck and Howard on the wings man and ball together. A good kick to the corner from Harlow lead to a lineout inside the Diss 22. Snow who had jumped well all day stole the ball and Harlow attacked with a rolling maul. It was stopped but Diss were penalized for coming in from the side and Harron tapped it onto the corner from the penalty for a Harlow lineout. Another clean take saw Harlow driving for the line and Harron was able to take the ball and burrow through for a try near the corner. Ford was just wide with a very difficult conversion but at 11 – 14 Harlow were back in the game. A Diss break out took them up into the Rams half and although the defence was solid they forced a penalty and extended the lead to 11 – 17. Although Diss had the heavier pack the Harlow forwards were able to keep the pressure on. Good driving runs by loose head Gary Brown and later his replacement James Ephgrave kept the visitors on the back foot and Matchett at No8 worked well on the pick up. Again it was a penalty which gave Harlow a scoring position. From a touch kink they set a rolling maul and were stopped just short of the line but Diss player-coach Betham was yellow carded for killing the ball. Harlow repeated the strategy and this time Harron broke through for his second try. Ford was on target and with only a quarter of the game left Harlow were in the lead for the first time 18 – 17. Five minutes later Diss stopped a good running attack by Harlow about 10 yards out. The pack recycled well and Harlow hooker Scott Romaine cut in for the try. Ford made no mistake and at 25 – 17 for the first time the home side had a two score margin. In the closing fifteen minutes Diss, who were furious at seeing a game they though they had won slip away, threw everything at Harlow. Most of the play took place in the Harlow 22. Harlow flanker Stoba took two heavy punches and as often the case the referee did not see them but did see his response and it earned hi a yellow card. Diss kicked the penalty to cut the lead to 25 – 20 and the pressure continued. The Harlow tacking was critical as they had to keep out a series of assaults on the line. Fullback Brown made a good tackle to stop one run but earned himself a yellow card for trying to scoop the ball as he got to his feet; the referee deciding it was still in the ruck. More serious the referee issued a general warning that in the closing minutes any other offence would be a red card. It was very unfortunate that Lee Harron was on the receiving end. He was pinned down by a Diss player and made two unsuccessful attempts to get to his feet. At the third attempt he managed to break free but there was an accidental clash of heads for which he was blamed and he ended with a read card for what both sides afterwards admitted was not intentional. Harlow hung on with grim determination and managed to steal the ball and fittingly it was a Ford clearance which took play back downfield and allowed them to hold on for the win.

This puts Harlow in fourth place in the league with the three clubs above them also on 10 points but with slightly better points difference. Next week they are away to Campion who are struggling at the bottom of the table. It is again a game they must win to keep in contact with the top three all of which they have yet to meet.