Harlow 22 Romford 21
Essex Cup
Harlow booked a place in the next round of the
Essex Cup with the narrowest of wins over London 3 NE colleagues Romford on
Saturday. It was a typical cut and thrust cup tie with only a single score
separating the sides for 70 of the 80 minutes. There was a good turnout of
spectators from both clubs and they were rewarded with a game which had
tension and excitement all the way.
Romford took the lead with an early penalty and added to it with a second
after about 15 minutes. Harlow came back strongly and on 18 minutes they go
onto the scoreboard with a great try. Ford spun the ball out via Stradling
to McFerran who made a good break before off-loading to Vanbeck on the wing.
He took the ball at full pace and was just too fast for the defence running
in for the try. In the closing minutes of the half Harlow took the lead.
From a lineout they set a good rolling maul driving the visitors back. The
about 7 metres from the line poor binding allowed a wedge of Harlow forwards
to break through and drive over the line with flanker Scott Romaine getting
the touchdown; the conversion was online but just short but Harlow went into
the interval 10 – 6 in front.
Harlow started the second half strongly and another good break away by the
backs saw Vanbeck run in at the corner for his second try, cutting in to
improve the angle for the kick. For was on target for a 17 – 6 lead. For the
next ten minutes Harlow kept up strong pressure on the Romford line using
both forwards and backs but then Romford cleared up field and it was Harlow
on the defensive. A good drive by the visitors pack allowed their No. 8 Du
Plooy to force his way over for the try. Their winger John Davies converted
bringing it to 17 – 13. On 58 minutes Harlow tightened their grip on the
game. Nick Ford put a penalty kick into touch on the Romford 5 metre line.
From the lineout Snow took cleanly and the Rams set the maul and drove for
the line. Prindiville playing at hooker rather than his customary position
at prop went over for the try making it 22 – 13. Only four minutes later
Romford hit back with a breakout by their backs and a good try from their no
9 Braiden. The conversion missed leaving it at 22 – 18 and a try required to
take the match. Then on 68 minutes Romford slotted a penalty cutting the
margin to two points so that another penalty would take it. They adopted the
tactic of kicking every ball upfield to keep play in the Harlow half,
presumably with the view that any penalty would be in range. For about 10
minutes Harlow had to defend against massive pressure before a good penalty
clearance from Ford took play back to halfway. Harlow took clean ball at the
lineout and kept the ball in the maul; to run down the last minute and take
the match.
With several players away on what was to be a free weekend Harlow had to
make adjustments. In the end some of the outcomes were very good. Dave
Stradling made his first 1st XV appearance of the season and had a good game
at inside centre before being replaced by another effective returnee Francis
Brown for the second half. Danny Lane had come into the side at Chelmsford
the previous week and kept his place at loose head in the starting line up.
Again his strength gave a stability to the scrum. Positional changes saw
Prindiville at hooker and McFerran moving to outside centre both with good
results. McFerran was solid in the tackle taking his man hard enough to
prevent the offload. Hans Barnard made his Harlow debut at blind side
flanker and had a good game. He has valuable experience and will
considerably strengthen the Harlow back row.
Next week Harlow resume their league campaign against Norwich. They lost the
away leg to a late drop goal and will be keen to reverse the outcome at
home. Kick off will be 2.15.
Tries:
Simon Vanbeck (2),
Scott Romaine,
Paul
Prindiville
Conversions:
Nick Ford
1. -
Danny Lane (Sub 50 mins
James Ephgrave
)
2. -
Paul
Prindiville
3. -
Gary Brown
4. -
Jon Snow
5. -
Paul Eynon
(Sub 55 mins
Darran Hawkins)
6. -
Hans Barnard
7. -
Scott Romaine
8. -
Kain Claridge
9. -
Lee Harron
10. -
Nick Ford
11. -
Will Grimley
12. -
David Stradling (Sub 40 mins
Francis Brown)
13. -
James McFerran
14. -
Simon Vanbeck
15. -
Sean Banks
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