Harlow 20 Chelmsford 5

(Half time 12 - 5)

London Three North East League

Harlow produced one of their best performances of the season to defeat Chelmsford on Saturday. Perhaps the most important feature was the fact that every player showed total commitment throughout the game. The tackle count was very impressive with Chelmsford players being knocked back and on the few occasions a first tackle was missed a second defender was straight in to finish the job. Most important this puts Harlow six points clear of bottom placed Norwich and with only two more games to be played they cannot be caught.

Harlow started strongly driving deep into the Chelmsford half right from the kick off. An initial drive to the line was stopped but then the forwards drove on and Lock Kerry Palmer powered his way over for Harlow’s firs try. McFerran converted for a seven point lead. Chelmsford tried to take play back up to the Harlow half using long kicks for position but Harlow showed the benefit of having Rob Mackie back from injury. Despite the string wind he was safe under the high ball and quick to counter attack or return the kick with interest. Harlow continued to play at pace and the back row of Roberts, Morgan and Eynon were keen to get involved with the backs to keep up the pressure. On 16 minute open side flanker Wayne Morgan came into the line and used his pace to run in a great try in the corner. The conversion into the wind was just short but with a 12 – 0 lead Harlow had Chelmsford under pressure.  Harlow came close with several other attacks and almost got clear when McFerran chased a long towards the corner. Ten minutes before the end of the half Chelmsford were awarded a penalty and kicked for the corner. From the lineout the set up a series of driving arracks from their pack and from the third of these their fullback McLeod took the short pass and slipped through the defence fro a try. The conversion was wide and Harlow held on to turn around with a 12 – 5 lead.

It had been expected that Harlow would find things more difficult playing up the slope in the second half but from the kick off they took the ball and were straight onto the arrack and Will Grimley made a 60 yard run to take play deep into the Chelmsford half. At the breakdown Chelmsford were penalized for killing the ball but McFerran was just short with a long kick at goal. Harlow kept play up in the Chemlsford half and two minutes later a penalty from a better angle was slotted by McFerran to put them 15 - 5 in front; most importantly a two score margin. Ten minutes into the half there was a long delay for an injury to the Chelmsford flanker Quinn who was stretchered off with a bad knee ligament injury. The Harlow pack had been doing well in the lineouts and broken play but as the game progressed they started to have very good control in the set scrums as well. At the start of the final quarter outside centre Simon Vanbeck sustained a cut putting in a crashing tackle and Mark Bowering came on as a blood replacement for ten minutes to join his brother who was at inside centre.  On sixty five minutes Harron launched a blind side attack from near the half way line and the ball went wide to Grimley on the wing who took it at full speed and outpaced the defence to touch down for the try. McFerran hit the post with the conversion attempt but with a three score lead Harlow sensed victory. Skipper Eynon called for commitment in the closing stages and Harlow responded maintaining a defensive line and above all with tight discipline to deny the visitors any penalties which would have provided them with attacking opportunities. The game finished with no further scores at 20 - 5

Next Saturday Harlow are away to Mersea Island who are one place above them but three point ahead. They have raised their game in recent weeks and will be a tough proposition on their home ground. Then the week after Harlow are at home to Norwich in their last game of the season. For those local rugby fans who can’t make the trip to Mersea next Saturday Harlow 4^th team are at home to Ely in the semi final of the Greene King Merit Table Cup, KO 2.30. The 4ths have had a great season and can promise you a good afternoon’s entertainment.

Tries: Kerry Palmer, Wayne Morgan, Will Grimley  

Conversions: James McFerran  

Penalties: James McFerran  

Team List

1 -  James Ephgrave

2 -  Stuart Wilkins
3 -  Paul Prindiville  
4 -  Darren Hawkins  

5 -  Kerry Palmer
6 -  Shaun Roberts
7 -  Wayne Morgan
8 -  Paul Eynon

9 -  Lee Harron

10 - James McFerran  

11 - Chris Webb  
12 - Simon Vanbeck (Blood Sub Mark Bowering 55 mins )

13 - Luke Bowering  
14 - Will Grimley  
15 - Rob Mackie

Subs not used: Tom Webb, Mark Bowering, Charlie Woodington

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