Harlow 26 Diss 24

London Three North East

A penalty kick from Harlow Skipper Nick Ford  won the match for a Rams side which fought hard and with much spirit throughout this seesaw struggle. It was the last kick of the match and snatched the victory from a Diss team who had taken the lead twice during the game.

Harlow started with determination and after five minutes attacked through the middle when Simon Vanbeck made a run into the Diss twenty two. He was tackled but the Diss defender gave away a penalty and Ford made it 3-0.

Harlow continued to batter the Diss line and after several attempts to cross the line it was outside centre Ben Jarvis who touched down as he took the ball at pace shrugging off the defence. Another successful kick by Ford against a powerful wind put Harlow in the driving seat. AS the Diss fly half Adam Williamson began to pump the ball down field using the strong wind it was Harlow who found themselves under attack. The visitors scored two tries, neither of which were converted before Harlow began to regain control. Despite pressing the Diss line the Rams were unable to turn the possession into points and the  Norfolk side broke away to force a five metre scrummage. Their power forced the Rams back and they scored under the posts on the stroke of half time with a push over try. This left Harlow trailing 10-17 at the interval.

With the wind now beginning to die away Harlow fought hard to force play in the Diss half and eventually were rewarded with another Ford penalty from 30 metres out with the  powerful wind making it very difficult for his kicking.

This spurred the Rams on and they forced a five metre scrum which Lee Harron  used as a spring board for a drive towards the line. Although he was stopped flanker Scott Romaine scooped up the ball and scored.

Fly half ford’s conversion and another well struck penalty gave Harlow a six point lead and with the score 23-17 they thought the match won with only fifteen minutes left. Darren Hawkins came on for young Michael Weston and the Rams pressed forwards. Indiscipline by the Harlow forwards allowed Diss to get within striking distance  with only minutes left. From a tap penalty only five metres out they mauled up to the line and scored under the posts. The conversion put them 24-23 up with only three minutes left.

Ford urged his team forward and they worked their way into the Diss twenty two. As the forwards drove for the line a Diss player came offside giving Ford a difficult kick to win the game. The kick crept over the bar and the final whistle was blown leaving Harlow delighted at the victory against the second side in the league table.

Although the Ram Gorse side stay in fourth place they have closed the gap on Diss who have only three points more and they are just one point behind third placed Rochford.

Harlow Second XV.  10  Woodford Seconds.  0.

A tight game at Ram gorse saw Harlow gain an impressive victory. The only points separating these two sides were two unconverted tries which were scored by Andy Vanston.

Tries: Ben Jarvis, Scott Romaine,

Conversions: Nick Ford (2)

Penalties: Nick Ford (4)

1. - Gary Brown

2. - Stuart Wilkins

3. - Paul Prindiville

4. - Jon Snow

5. - James Ephgrave

6. - Scott Romaine

7. - Michael Weston (Sub Darran Hawkins 55 mins)

8. - Kain Claridge

9. - Lee Harron

10. - Nick Ford

11. - Will Grimley

12. - Josh Bohl

13. - Ben Jarvis

14. - Simon Vanbeck

15. - Sean Banks

Subs: not used: Wayne Morgan, Matt Howard

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