Harlow 7 Braintree 36

(Half time 0 - 31)

London Three North East League

Braintree made this game virtually theirs in the first 15 minutes and had it completely sewn up by half time. They had the slope in their favour which is always worth one or two scores especially on a dry pitch where long kicks can put the defence under pressure. However that cannot explain a half where they dominated throughout and ran in 31 points without reply.  Their success was largely down to defensive mistakes by Harlow both by missing tackles and failing to establish a defensive line.

A penalty in the first minute set Braintree going and two minutes later a try by their lock Fitzearle converted by fly half Monk put them 10 points ahead. In the 8^th minute a failure to clear their lines by Harlow let in the visitors prop Prince and again Monk converted for a 17 point lead. Harlow did have one or two chances from their pack when well struck penalties by McFerran allowed them into the Braintree 22 but the Braintree defence held. Before the end of the half two more converted tries from their three-quarters but them 31 -  0 ahead at half time.

The second half started better for Harlow with a narrow penalty miss from McFerran. The on the 49^th minute Harlow winger Will Grimley scored his best try of the season taking the ball wide and stepping round two defenders before outpacing a third to touch down in the corner. McFerran converted from the touchline making it  31 – 7.

Six minutes later Braintree added another unconverted try making it 36 – 7 and that score remained for the next 25 minutes until the close. In the final quarter Harlow had the best of the play in terms of territory and possession but were unable to convert it into points.  Grimley, McFerran and Vanbeck all had chances to run at the line but the visitors were prepared to concentrate on defence. Two chances to attack from a rolling maul after penalties to the corner were also blocked and Braintree finished with a result which takes them third in the league with a chance of second if they maintain their form.

Next Saturday Harlow are at home to second placed Brentwood in what is going to be a tough encounter. The game will kick off at 2.30.

Tries: Will Grimley

Conversions:  James McFerran

Team List

1 -  Tom Webb (Sub 60 mins Matt Branch)

2 -  Stuart Wilkins
3 -  Paul Prindiville  
4 -  Kerry Palmer  
5 -  Mark Twiner 
6 -  Mark Bowering (Sub 55 mins Sam Cootes)  
7 -  Darren Hawkins  
8 -  Paul Eynon

9 -  Charlie Woodington

10 - Lee Harron

11 - Will Grimley
12 - Gareth Powell   (Sub 55 mins Chris Webb )

13 - Luke Bowering  
14 - Simon Vanbeck
15 - James McFerran  

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