Welwyn 19 Harlow 6

London North Promotion Play Off

When the script was written this wasn't the way it was meant to pan out.

The season came down to just one game a play off between Welwyn and Harlow for the final promotion spot to London 2 North. It was a promotion Harlow had been dreaming off since they beat Romford 18-0 in January.

Harlow playing downhill started the match well with no sign of nerves. The backs and forwards took the play well into the Welwyn 22 when the first penalty chances came outside half Nick Ford kicked to the corners and the forwards drove for the line, in the manor they have done all season. Welwyn were aware Harlow would use this tactic and had obviously rehearsed their defence in these situations. Good mauls were stopped short twice.

The back line continued their assault on Welwyn try line only to be stopped by Welwyn illegal play. This time being more central Nick Ford pinged over a couple of penalties to make the score 6-0 and Harlow were in the lead and looked comfortable.  Alas this would be the last scores Harlow made.

Just before half time, Welwyn attached from the half way line and their big inside centre broke through the Harlow line. He off loaded with just the Harlow Full Back Josh Bohl to beat and Welwyn had their first points and look a 7-6 lead into half time. 

Second half with the wind and slope in their favour Welwyn made good use of  long kick through, a communication error between Harlow Full Back Josh Bohl and winger Simon Vanbeck allowed Welwyn in for another try to take the score to. 14 – 6. This turning point put Welwyn firmly on top and Harlow had to now start playing catch up.

Harlow needed the ball, but decent play by the Welwyn fly half as he continued with tactic of kicking the ball well away from the Welwyn half. Harlow struggled to get their hands on the ball and when they did some forced and some unforced errors meant that Welwyn were able to maintain the position high up the pitch.

From a scrum Welwyn went right and continued to go right until they had created the overlap for their winger to score in the corner. Harlow had been under lot of pressure and the try was no less than Welwyn deserved. This took the score to 19-6 and left Welwyn well in control of the game.

A period of cut an thrust in final quarter saw James Ephgrave and Paul Eynon come on for Paul Prindiville and Jon Snow and Harlow threw everything at a Welwyn defence which unfortunately held well. Harlow had best of last 15 minutes but could not break through with mistakes the theme for the game, continuing right to the end.

For Harlow the season is over and their won't be the promotion they dreamed off this year. It was bitterly disappointing, when a side has played so well all season and dominated so many games to make or break the season on one game some how seems unfair, however we play the game to play in the big games, just this time it wasn't our turn.

Penalties: Nick Ford (2)

1. - Gary Brown (Sub 78mins Danny Lane,)

2. - Scott Romaine

3. - Paul Prindiville (Sub 55mins James Ephgrave)

4. -  Lloyd Matchett

5. - Jon Snow (Sub 70mins Paul Eynon )

6. - Scott Stoba

7. - Mark Pickett

8. - Kain Claridge

9. - Lee Harron (Captain)

10. - Nick Ford

11. - Simon Vanbeck

12. - Billy Stanley

13. - Ben Jarvis

14. - Francis Brown

15. - Josh Bohl

(Subs not used Matt Howard )

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