Harlow 35 Westcliff 19

London Three North East

Harlow bounced back for their defeat at Colchester last week to record a convincing win over Westcliff. The good news was that they returned to the exciting running and handling game with which they had dominated the early season warm up games.  They conceded three tries and certainly need to look at issues of defence. The big difference however was the speed with which Harlow could recycle the ball from the breakdown and set up attacking options. Westcliff moved the ball wide and relied on pace to get through while the Rams set up far more creative running angles which had the defence struggling and with a little luck could have produced even more than the five tries which clinched the game. A further bonus was the return of Nick Ford at fly half who contributed tem points with the boot and who looked very calm when setting up attacking options. Harlow fielded a light and mobile pack that linked up very well with the backs in the attacking moves.  They played well but were not able to dominate the lineouts and rolling mauls in the way they did towards the end of last season.

Harlow started the game strongly playing down the slope and pressured the visitors try line before the cleared up field with a penalty. A mid field defensive error let the Westcliff backs through for an early try and a 5 – 0 lead. Harlow however were quickly on the counter attack and a re-cycled ball form the forwards set the backs into action and Ben Jarvis from outside centre finished off a slick move to score in the corner. Ford was just wide with a long conversion attempt but minutes later added a penalty to take the lead. Harlow continued to apply pressure and the next score came when Esterhuyse came into the line to create the overlap. He was caught about 8 yards short of the line but held the ball up well in the tackle to feed winger Vanbeck who toughed down. This time Ford was spot on with the kick and the score was 15 – 5 to Harlow. A further Ford penalty from about 40 yards out extended the lead and then close to half time Fullback Rudi Esterhuyze added another try. He had been involved in the moves for the last two but this time took the ball from way out and attacked down the wing. He was half tackled but broke clear and made the line. His return to the Harlow first team after a long absence through injury ahs made a big impact. He is an instinctive ball player who can cover any position in the backs and ahs the strength to hold his own in contact. This score made it 23 – 5 at half time.

Harlow started the second half well applying a lot of pressure in the Westcliff 22 but 10 minutes in the visitors moved the ball quickly to the wing to launch a counter attack. Their winger survived on tackle attempt and then used his pace to run in a 60 yard try; converted to cut the margin to 23 – 12.  Harlow took the ball from the kick off and pressed back up field using their pack to set the rolling maul.

Westcliff defended strongly but eventually it was Vanbeck who broke free to run in an excellent try. The conversion attempt was charged down but at 28 – 12 Harlow could expect to take the points. They had a number of further scoring chances including two attempts with the rolling maul and a crash over by Eynon only to be pulled back for a pass judged to be slightly forward. A very good counter by Westcliff gave them another converted try taking it to 28 – 19, still a two score margin but not as safe as it had been Finally from the ruck Harron spun the ball an Scott Stoba the number 8, new to Harlow this season, powered through to touch down under the posts for his first try in a Rams shirt. Ford slotted the kick and fro the final ten minute Harlow piled on the pressure from their forwards to finish with a 35 – 19 win. This takes Harlow to seventh in the table with only four clubs still unbeaten one of them our next opponents Rochford with one win and a walkover. The league is already wide open and our visit to Rochford is very important

Tries: Rudi Esterhuyse , Simon Vanbeck (2), Ben Jarvis, Scott Stoba

Conversions: Nick Ford (2)

Penalties: Nick Ford (2)

1. - Gary Brown (Sub Ben Branch 75mins)

2. - Tommy Johnson (Sub Kain Claridge  40mins)

3. - Paul Prindiville

4. - Jon Snow

5. - Paul Eynon (Captain)

6. - Scott Romaine

7. - Mark Pickett

8. - Scott Stoba

9. - Lee Harron

10. - Nick Ford

11. - Simon Vanbeck

12. - Tom Davies (Sub Andrew Vanston 65mins)

13. - Ben Jarvis

14. - Matt Howard

15. - Rudi Esterhuyse

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