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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