Ipswich 5 Harlow 24

London Three North East

Harlow got their league campaign away to a good start at Ipswich with a convincing win on Saturday. In particular they can be pleased with the commitment to the game by every player, in defence their tackling was massive and they attacked at every opportunity. The forwards had a massive game contributing all three tries and had several other very good attacks when they were pressuring the Ipswich line and could well have powered their way across. The backs had some good attacking moves but could not quite find the gaps. They were however totally committed in defence and share the credit for keeping the home side to a single score.

The game started with a major setback when the Harlow defence went badly wrong from the kick off allowing Ipswich to run in a very soft try. A bad kick at the restart had the large Harlow supporters contingent, who had made the sixty mile trip, worried. Their anxiety was relieved however within a few minutes when Harlow had a good driving attack through their pack and even this early it was clear that Ipswich were facing a very committed challenge.  After another tem minutes the home side were forced to scramble the ball into touch inside their twenty two. Snow took cleanly at the lineout and the pack drove for the line. Prop Paul Prindiville who was having a great game, used his strength to power over for a try to level the scores. The first half continued with cut and thrust play but Harlow commitment in the tackle broke down the only real threats to their line. Simon Vanbeck on the Harlow wing had one good attacking chance running through and chipping over the defender but the ball bounced well for the Ipswich fullback coming across and allowed him to clear. Ipswich were however having problems stopping the Harlow forward drives and twice conceded penalties within range for Harlow skipper Nick Ford who pit the ball between the sticks for an 11 – 5 lead at half time.

Early in the second half Ford added a third penalty taking the score to 14 points to five and more important a two score margin. Harlow continued to dominate and twice the pack made 25 metres or more with the rolling maul. Lee Harron at scrum half was always to be seen urging his forwards on and at the Ipswich scrums hassling his opposite number and stealing a ball or two. Harlow’s second try came from a kick towards the corner with number 8 Kain Claridge following up to hassle the fullback. The ball went loose and Scott Romaine playing at flanker took the initiative for the try. With the score at 19 – 5 to the Rams Ipswich threw everything into the attack. As the game moved towards the final quarter they kept the attack in the Harlow 22 and forced them tackle hard to defend their lead.  Harlow provided fresh legs, bringing on James Ephgrave for Prindiville moving Gary Brown from Loose to tight head and Lloyd Matchett replaced Jamie Pope going to No 8 with Claridge taking over the blind side flanker slot.  With about ten minutes to go the flow of play started to swing back in favour of Harlow whose pack had several assaults on the Ipswich line. From one of these they conceded a penalty. Harlow called a set move with Ford picking up the ball and although he had not indicated the defence assumed he would go for the posts. Instead he threw a quick pass to Harron who shipped it on to Lock Paul Eynon who had dropped out wide giving him a safe run in for the try and a final 24 – 5 scoreline.

Although technically this puts Harlow second in the league positions do not mean very much until all the teams have played about five games and the true form of the teams emerges.  Next Saturday Harlow are at home to Rochford who beat newly promoted Chelmsford on Saturday 24 – 15. It could be a close game and supporters will be very welcome. Harlow can also be pleased that their seconds narrowly lost to Hitchin firsts 15 – 17 and their thirds beat Bishops Stortford fourths 22 - 15

Tries: Paul Prindiville, Scott Romaine, Paul Eynon

Penalties: Nick Ford (3)

1. - Gary Brown

2. - Stuart Wilkins

3. - Paul Prindiville (Sub James Ephgrave 65mins)

4. - Jon Snow

5. - Paul Eynon

6. - Jamie Pope (Sub Lloyd Matchett 60 mins)

7. - Scott Romaine

8. - Kain Claridge

9. - Lee Harron

10. - Nick Ford (Captain)

11. - Simon Vanbeck

12. - Wayne Heapy (Sub Jake Kent-Pope 70 mins)

13. - Will Grimley

14. - Sean Banks

15. - Josh Bohl

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