Chelmsford 31 Harlow 21

London Three North East

Harlow started slowly and a series of basic handling errors let Chelmsford dominate too much of the game. In the final quarter the Rams finally took control with three excellent tries but by that time the home side had built up a 31 point lead and were out of reach. Quite early on in the game a Chelmsford set a rolling maul and drove in for a try by their hooker. A few minutes later Harlow no 2 Wilkins was yellow carded for an rucking infringement  close to the try line. Chelmsford exploited the advantage for their fly half to run in a try which he also converted for a 12 – 0 lead.  For a short time Harlow were down to 13 men after Snow was also yellow carded for handling in the ruck. A further rolling maul saw their No.8 go over for the try and again their fly half converted for a 19 – 0 lead. In the closing minutes of the half Harlow rallied and had on or two opportunities but could not add to the score before the interval.

The second half saw Harlow with the substantial slope in their favour and hoping to come back into the game. Early in the half however Chelmsford added two more tries on by each of their centres on of which was converted to give them a 31 – 0 lead.  As the half progressed Harlow began to dominate the play. They opted for  bringing in fresh players when Wayne Morgan came on at flanker with Romaine moving to hooker and Wilkins going off and banks came on for McFerran at fullback. A good attack on the wing by Vanbeck saw hi stopped just short of the 22 where Harlow recycled the ball and moved it to the backs for Josh Bohl at centre to cut in for a try converted by Ford.   With about 12 minutes to go a penalty allowed Harlow to kick for touch and set up the lineout. From the maul they drove at the line an made the touchdown credited to Harron and again Ford was on target. Harlow kept play in the Chelmsford half  and forced another penalty taken quickly. The ball went to Morgan who was too quick for the defence and touched down under the posts and an easy shot for Ford made it 31 – 21 to Chelmsford. From the restart Harlow had one more attacking chance but time was running out and the home side held on to clinch the game.

Next Saturday Harlow are at home to Romford in the first round of the Essex Cup before resuming their league campaign the following week at home to Norwich. Although they stay in third place both Westcliff and Diss, who both have a game in hand,  have opened up the gap at the top and it would take a very large change of fortune to see Harlow finish in the top two.

Tries: Josh Bohl, Kain Claridge, Wayne Morgan

Conversions: Nick Ford (3)

1. - Paul Prindiville  

2. - Stuart Wilkins (Sub 55 mins Wayne Morgan)

3. - Danny Lane

4. - Jon Snow

5. - Paul Eynon

6. - Scott Romaine

7. - Michael Weston

8. - Kain Claridge

9. - Lee Harron

10. - Nick Ford

11. - Will Grimley

12. - Billy Stanley

13. - Josh Bohl

14. - Simon Vanbeck

15. - James McFerran (Sub Sean Banks 60 minutes)

Sub not used: Matt Davies

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Prindiville on the break

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Harron urges his team on

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Pack drive forwards

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Claridge having taken ball at lineout feeds Eynon, Danny Lane (loose
head prop) supports.
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Harron Tees up for chip kick