Harlow 34 Rochford 32

London Three North East League

With absence of a few players through injury and other commitments Harlow fielded a very young side with players 5 under 21.

A real workmanlike performance from Harlow who battled hard from the first till the last whistle.  It was a day when Harlow took their opportunities that they have missed in recent weeks.

Rochford appeared to be the much bigger and stronger side caused many problems for Harlow early on with their driving play, and when they moved it to midfield a mix up in defence allowed Rochford No13 link well and go in under the posts, converted.

Harlow playing down the slope with the strong wind rallied well and put some good pressure on Rochford turning their back three with good kicks from Humphries and Harron.

Harlow utilized the blind side well and some good runs from Grimley and Vanbeck gained Harlow some vital yardage placing pressure on Rochford who gave away a penalty.  Easily slotted by Humphries despite the strong blustery winds.

From the kick off Harlow took advantage of a lose pass intercepted by Vanbeck who ran clear to score under the posts. Converted by Humphries.

From the kick off Harlow reacted poorly and Rochford pressured well deep into the Harlow 22. From a lineout Rochford used their big heavier forwards to drive well and score.  Conversions missed.

Harlow rallied well and applied pressure in the Rochford half with good continuity and ball retention.  Harlow were able to release winger Grimley who with a speedy arching run outpaced the Rochford defence to go over in the Corner.  Expertly converted by Humphries from wide out.

From the kick off a good clearance kick from Humphries applied pressure back onto Rochford deep into their half.  Resulting in a series of penalties.

Harlow used this pressure well camping on the Rochford try line with good powerful drives from the forwards falling just short.  Harlow then moved the ball wide with quick hands from the backs allowed James Mcferran to go over in the corner. Again converted by Humphries.  Harlow went into the break

24 - 12 to the good.

It was clear with the conditions that Harlow would need to be solid and disciplined to prevent unnecessary pressure.  Going up the hill against the strong wind Harlow started well and applied good pressure on the Rochford line.  Again strong pressure from the Harlow forwards saw Rochford giving away several cynical penalties that went unpunished.  From this pressure a well worked move allowed Gareth Powell to crash over converted by Humphries.

Harlow took the foot off the pedal and allowed Rochford back into the game.

Some ill discipline allowed Rochford back into the game and allowing them to apply pressure back into the Harlow half.  Harlow then made some juvenile errors that resulted in Ricky Mckinley and Simon Vanbeck being sent to the sin bin for 10 mins each about 5 mins apart.

Harlow defended astutely during this period.  Some good work by Harron and Covington turned ball over at the Rochford Scrum which managed to break up the Rochford rhythm.  During the later stages of the sin bin periods Harlow started to wane and allowed Rochford to over for an unconverted try and a

Penalty.   

Now with the bit between their teeth Rochford started to apply lots of pressure to the Harlow line. Some strong play from the Rochford forwards allowed them to move the ball wide and score in the corner unconverted.

It was clear that Harlows efforts during the sin bin periods had taken a lot out of them and may cost them dearly. 

However, some good work by Harron and his forwards turned ball over at the Rochford Scrum which managed to break up the Rochford rhythm and allowed Humphries to clear the Harlow lines and apply pressure back into the Rochford half.

From this pressure Humphries took a snap shot at a drop goal that sailed wide.  From more Harlow forwards pressure Humphries again took a snap shot drop goal this time just clearing the uprights.  With time running out Rochford rallied strongly and applied great pressure on the Harlow line.

Some stout resilient defence by all kept Rochford out until the last play of the game when they went over under the posts for a converted try 34 - 32 to Harlow.  The precise kicking of Humphries making all the difference.

Many of the players today set the benchmark for the rest of the Season, we need to continue this now and get some consistency.

Tries: Simon Vanbeck, Will Grimley, James McFerran, Gareth Powell

Conversions:  Paul Humpries (4)

Penalties: Paul Humpries

Drop Goals: Paul Humpries

Team List

1 -  Ricky McKinley (Sub 70 mins Rob Treamer)

2 -  Stuart Wilkins
3 -  Tom Webb  
4 -  Darren Hawkins
5 -  Mark Twinner 
6 -  Shaun Roberts
7 -  Lee Covington
8 -  Kain Claridge

9 -  Lee Harron

10 - Paul Humpries
11 - Will Grimley
12 - Gareth Powell

13 - Sean Banks

14 - Simon Vanbeck
15 - James McFerran

Subs not used: Mark Bowering, Luke Bowering,

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