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Southend 7 Harlow 0 --- Worthing 0 Harlow 22
Pre Season warm up games
Harlow travelled to Southend to play warm up games in a triangular against Southend and Worthing Seconds. Each team played a half game against the other two and the Harlow coaches can be pleased with the outcome. Skipper Paul Eynon praised the "Champagne Rugby" of the closing 15 minutes against Worthing where backs and forwards linked up brilliantly to create the last two tries.
Southend 7 Harlow 0 Warm Up tournament Harlow got off to a nervous start against Southend with many players seeking the chance to impress. The defence held firm except for one lapse in concentration leading to a Southend try but in the latter stages Harlow took play back to the home side very strongly. Some valuable points were identified by the coaching staff for work on the training pitch.
Worthing 0 Harlow 22 Warm Up tournament Harlow were much more settled against Worthing and quickly got into their patterns. When a penalty was awarded to Harlow on the half way line Nick Ford hoisted it towards the corner, from the ensuing line out Harlow caught and drove, Worthing offended again so Nick Ford tucked it neatly 5 metres out for the forwards to catch and drive once more. Once the maul was moving steadily towards the try line and the ball was in Ben Branch's hands, scrum half Neil Fitzpatrick caught everyone off guard and darted for the corner to score the opener. For the second try almost from the kick off some great ball handling from the forwards and backs combined resulted in Sean Banks crossing the line on his 1st team debut. The third try the Harlow pack were on the rampage when hooker Tommy Johnson chipped in behind the defence where Chris Webb chased jumped won the ball then raced over the try line. The conversion provided the surprise of the day. With kickers Nick Ford and David Stradling off the pitch, Lee Harron and Ben Jarvis and all the backs well on their way back to their own half, captain Paul Eynon found himself with the ball in his hand near the touch line and the referee, keen to re-start, saying just drop kick it. He did and it sailed through the uprights to his and everyone's amazement. The final try came at the end of the game from Mark Pickett again from the kick off Harlow worked the blind side with some sublime handling, Pickett still had a lot to do stepping right, then left leaving the defence dumbfounded and failing over the line. This time the referee was heard to say to the Harlow skipper "What's the odds of you kicking 2 out of 2?" The reply isn't suitable for repeat here, upon which the ball was scuffed along the ground, which by rights is where the first one should have gone. More work to be done on the training field but some encouraging 'champagne' ball skills shown from the players in the last 15 minutes leading to tries from Mark Pickett and Sean Banks. More of the same will provide some very entertaining rugby for the coming season. Two more warm up games to be played this Saturday away at Harpenden and 2nd September at home against Blackheath where the coaching team will refine the squad. The performance of the younger players was particularly welcome. Tries: Neil Fitzpatrick, Sean Banks, Mark Pickett, Chris Webb Conversions: Paul Eynon (A beautifully hit drop goal from the touch line)
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