Saffron Walden 20 Harlow 17

London Three North East

Harlow dropped two important league points on Saturday. They allowed the home side to build up a commanding lead and although they came back strongly in the final quarter of the game they left it too late to reverse earlier setbacks.

Harlow started strongly and played most of the first ten minutes in the saffron Walden half. The home side were forced to defend against attacks by both the backs and the forwards. In the end when Saffron Walden cleared their lines with a penalty it was Harlow’s turn to play on the back foot and to regret their wasted opportunities,  From a good drive by their pack Saffron Walden put their tight head prop over for a try, easily converted by their fly half.  It was only a few minutes later that Harlow found themselves 14 points adrift after another drive by Saffron Walden this time the open side flanker getting the touchdown.  Harlow took play up field from the restart and when awarded a penalty kicked for the corner. They used the rolling maul effectively and were stopped just short when the home side were penalized for pulling down. Harlow again kicked for the corner with much the same result and after three mauls had been collapsed the Saffron Walden No. 3 was yellow carded. Harlow continued to keep the ball with the forwards and on the fifth maul forced their way over for hooker Stuart Wilkins to touch down for the try. Kicking into a strong wind Ford was just wide with the conversion. With the strong wing going to be behind them in the second half Harlow would have settled for the 14 – 5 margin but in the closing minutes of the game the home fly half added a further six points with a great drop goal and then a penalty front the 10 yard line.

Starting the half  20 – 5 down was a major challenge and for much of the third quarter it was a cut an thrust game midfield with neither side able to dominate. Some good counter attacking by fullback McFerran from deep kicks up field launched several arracks by the Harlow backs but the Walden centres and back row were solid in defence. With the wind behind hi however Bohl was able to make some good deep touch kicks which kept Harlow in contention.  With about fifteen minutes to go Harlow were awarded a penalty on the Walden 10 metre line. Harron took the quick tap and attacked up field catching most of the defence off guard. He was stopped but Harlow retained possession and crashing run by lock Eynon was only stopped at the third attempt about 15 yards short. A second break by Harron took him over the line for the try.  Ford converted to bring it to 20 – 12.  Harlow kept up the pressure and a very good 40 yard run by Vanbeck was stopped just short.  From a forward drove Harlow took the ball up to the try line. Saffron Walden won from the ruck but their clearance was charged down with Nick Ford on hand to take the ball and touch down. A very relieved home side held out the revived Harlow for the last few minutes to hang on to their victory.

The other clubs in the promotion chasing group, Norwich, Rochford and Brentwood also lost so Harlow remain fourth. It means however that Westcliff and Diss have opened a six and four point lead respectively over their nearest challengers, It means that all of the chasing clubs which now includes Saffron Walden will find it hard to get into the key top two places on their own efforts they really need the leaders to slip up.

Tries: Stuart Wilkins, Lee Harron, Nick Ford

Conversions: Nick Ford (2)

Penalties:

1. - Paul Prindiville  (Sub Darran Hawkins 35 minutes)

2. - Stuart Wilkins

3. - James Ephgrave 

4. - Jon Snow

5. - Paul Eynon

6. - Jamie Pope

7. - Scott Romaine

8. - Kain Claridge

9. - Lee Harron

10. - Nick Ford

11. - Will Grimley (Sub Billy Stanley 55 minutes)

12. - Ben Jarvis (Sub Sean Banks 60 minutes)

13. - Josh Bohl

14. - Simon Vanbeck

15. - James McFerran

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