Harlow 27 Rochford 15

London Three North East

Two thirds of the way through the game and with a lead of 15 points to 3 Rochford must have thought they were heading for their second win of the season. Not so however Harlow cut loose with two tries in three minutes; the second converted to level the scores and continued to hammer into the visitors’ defence adding two more tries before the close. To be fair to the Rams they had put some pressure on Rochford throughout the game but basic mistakes had allowed them to escape. Too many clearance kicks did not find touch allowing Rochford to use the advantage of the slope to press into Harlow territory and several key passes did not go to hand. For Harlow the return of Billy Stanley and Ben Jarvis at centre game them a three quarter line with pace and experience. The fact that they had not played with that line up for some time however meant that they need a chance to adjust. The second half performance however shown what is possible if Harlow are able to keep them together in coming games.

From the start Harlow attacked well making good use of their mobile pack to take play into Rochford territory. It was however clear from early on that the visitors had more weight and experience than Ipswich the previous week and that Harlow would have to work for territory. One area where Rochford had problems was in the set scrums where there was a tendency of it to wheel allowing Lee Harron to really hassle their scrum half. After about twelve minutes on their first real attacking opportunity Rochford broke through the Harlow defence to run in their first try.  Harlow countered from the restart and set up a good driving maul within scoring range but a rucking offence allowed Rochford to clear their lines. Ten minutes later Harlow conceded another penalty this time within kicking range and the visitors extended their lead to 8 – 0. Within a couple of minutes it was Rochford’s turn to kill the ball and Harlow skipper Nick Ford slotted a penalty to cut the margin to 8 – 3. On the point of half time Harlow ran the ball out of defence and looked to have a good scoring opportunity but as the ball was moved out the Rochford fly half read the situation well and took an interception pass to give himself a 40 yard run in for a try under the posts and an easy conversion making it 15 – 3 at the turnaround

In the second half Harlow looked more dangerous and accurate kicking by Ford kept Rochford pegged back.  They defended well and for most of the third quarter no gaps appeared. The with about twenty-five minutes to go Ford spun the ball out allowing Harlow the centres  Stanly and Jarvis to create space for Sean Banks on the wing who raced in for the try in the corner cutting the margin to 8 – 15. Within three minutes the same strategy produced the same result and Banks added his second try. This time Nick Ford was on target with the conversion and scores were level at 15 – 15. Harlow pack continued to apply pressure and although Rochford had the weight they were a little lacking in fitness and it began to tell.  With about 8 minutes to go the Harlow pack committed the defence and this time when the ball was shipped out inside centre Billy Stanley went for the line himself touching down within kicking range for Ford to put hallow ahead 22 – 15. To their credit Rochford tried to counter but were now facing a very determined Rams. The final turn of the screw came almost at the end. The Harlow forced a five metre scrum. Harron was about to launch his backs but noticed that the Rochford forwards were having trouble holding the drive. He shouted to his pack to keep the ball and redouble their efforts for the pushover. A good decision because as Rochford were forced back on their line the Harlow scrum half grabbed the ball and burrowed in for the touchdown.

This puts Harlow third sharing the top of the table with three other undefeated sides. Next Saturday they are away to fifth placed Romford, always a tough proposition. It is a game they could win but it will not be easy against a side who always make you pay for your mistakes.

Tries: Sean Banks (2), Billy Stanley, Lee Harron

Conversions: Nick Ford (2)

Penalties: Nick Ford

1. - Gary Brown

2. - Stuart Wilkins

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

4. - Lloyd Matchett

5. - Paul Eynon

6. - Scott Romaine (Sub Jamie Pope 75mins)

7. - Mark Pickett

8. - Kain Claridge

9. - Lee Harron

10. - Nick Ford

11. - Sean Banks

12. - Billy Stanley

13. - Ben Jarvis

14. - Will Grimley (Sub James McFerran 65mins)

15. - Josh Bohl

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