Harlow kept their promotions prospects on track by grinding out an effective win against Westcliff on Saturday. Despite their low position in the league, Westcliff made Harlow struggle throughout the first half and even in the second half when the Rams had much more of the play it was never easy. Credit goes to the Harlow players as a whole for keeping the pressure on for a whole 80 minutes whereas the home side having started so well could not stay the distance. The other results saw league leaders Bury St Edmunds beaten by bottom of the table Campion and this allows Harlow to go top of the table. Even more important it means that Harlow’s destiny is in their own hands rather than having to depend on other sides defeating their main rivals.

Harlow started the game a very strongly taking play well up into the Westcliff 22 and launched several good driving attacks on the try line. The home side were able however to defend against this initial onslaught and within a few minutes had reversed the position taking play deep into the Harlow half. For the next 25 minutes most of the play was to take place within the Harlow territory. Westcliff had a scoring opportunity earlier on with a penalty which went wide and then with a second which did not carry. Harlow defended well and from time to time it managed clear up field. Kicking into a strong headwind however they did not make as much ground as they would have liked and were rarely able to establish themselves for any significant time in the Westcliff half. Eventually the pressure told and Westcliff manage to drive in towards Harlow posts and then move the ball wide for their winger to touchdown in the corner for an unconverted try. In the closing minutes of the half Harlow had a greater share of the territory and were able to launch two good attacks with their forwards making use of the rolling maul. Again however the defence held and they ended the half with a five-point deficit.

Harlow started the second half rather more strongly and for the first ten minutes had the majority of the possession. With the wind behind them they were able to make much better use of the touchline and then strong line-out jumping gave them some quality possession. After about 10 minutes Westcliff were penalised for killing the ball at the ruck and Nick Ford slotted an easy penalty to reduce the margin to five points to three. From the restart Harlow quickly back into the attack driving well through their forwards with Gary Brown in particular making the hard yards with the crash ball. Harron started to move the ball more frequently to his backs and useful runs came from both wings with Howard and Vanbeck taking play well into the Westcliff half. From one attack Howard chipped over the final defender and was unfortunate not to make the score as the ball kicked sideways into touch. On about 60 minute's Harlow were awarded a second penalty this time around 40 yards from posts. Despite the distance Ford was again on line and for the first time Harlow were in the lead by a single point. Another very good break on a Harlow backs saw Vanbeck completely clear heading for the corner only to be brought back because one of the passes had been marginally forward. The referee was correct in his decision although it was a very close call but more important it proved that it was possible to break the home side defence. From a further attack by the forwards play broke down earth in midfield to about 35 yards from posts and again Westcliff the penalised for racking infringement. Yet again Ford was bang on target and Harlow now had a 9 - 5 lead. Westcliff, feeling that the game was slipping away from, of counter-attack strongly and it was the responsibility of the Harlow centres Jarvis and Stanley to provide some desperate cover tackling. With about seven minutes to go the Harlow backs again took play well into the Westcliff half with Ben Jarvis splitting the defence. He was brought down around the Harlow 22 from where flanker Mark Pickett gathered the ball and took out two defenders before he too was brought to the ground. Paul Eynon was close in support and gathered the ball to barge his way past the last defender and touchdown for the try. Ford was slightly off target but with a 14 - 5 lead for the first time Harlow had the protection of a two score margin. They continued to apply pressure in the closing minutes and were still attacking well into the Westcliff half at the final whistle.

Harlow have a break next weekend before they meet Colchester in their next league encounter at home on the 17th March.