Romford 44 Harlow 16

(Half time 13 - 16)

Essex Cup

Despite having a number of players missing Harlow produced a good performance in the first half of this match turning round with a sixteen point to thirteen point lead.  From the kick off Harlow took play into the Romford half and were awarded a penalty for handling in the ruck.  McFerran was on target with the kick for an early three point lead.  From the restart Romford moved the ball wide and forced Harlow to defend against a good attack from the home side backs, who were to prove decisive later in the game.  Harlow weathered the attack and a after 15 minutes were awarded another penalty just inside the Romford half.  McFerran was slightly wide with this one but a few minutes later scored with a second extending the lead to six points.  Romford took good possession from the restart taking play into the Harlow half.  A few minutes later they again managed to move the ball wide to their backs exposing a weakness in the Harlow defence to run in a try in the corner, cutting the margin to one point.  Ten minutes later they were able to attack on the other wing running in a second try to give them the lead by ten points to six.  With about 8 minutes to go before the end of the half there was a very long delay in play following a serious knee injury to Mark Bowering.  When play resumed Robert Cochrane came on as replacement, his first appearance for the first team this season.  He was very quickly involved in the action breaking away from a ruck just inside the Romford 22 and charging through for a try under the posts.  McFerran converted taking the score to 13 points to 10 in favour of Harlow.  Romford levelled the score at 13 points each and then just before halftime Harlow were awarded a penalty on the 10 metre line and McFerran slotted a very good 45 yard kick allowing Harlow to turn round if with a 16. To 13 lead.

Harlow started the second half well but a few minutes into the half two major setbacks undermined their chances of taking the game.  Firstly the Romford pack drove over the Harlow try line; the Harlow forwards countered and drove them right back out of the in goal area but the referee decided by the Harlow player had come in from the side and awarded a penalty try which was easily converted.  Only minutes later another break by the Romford forwards allowed them to drive in under the posts for an easy try which was converted to give them a 27 points to 16 lead.  Given an 11 points cushion the home side began to move the ball much more freely to their backs and Harlow came under very much more pressure in defence.  During the remainder of the game Romford ran in three more tries from their backs one of them converted.  Harlow came close to scoring when centre Simon Vanbeck broke clear in his own half and ran 60 yards only being stopped two paces short of the try line.  From the breakdown Harlow attacked us through their forwards twice forcing penalties and opting to kick for touch and attack from the line out eventually however a Harlow infringement allowed Romford to clear and the game finished as a clear 16 point to 44 win for the home side.

Next Saturday Harlow are at home to Enfield it nations in the league kicking off at 2.15.  Enfield have not been having a particularly strong league season and if Harlow are to get their league campaign back on track this is a must win game.  A lot depends however on the extent to which Harlow can put out a full strength team.  In particular they will need much better defence than they were able to produce on Saturday to have a reasonable chance of taking the points.

Tries: Robert Cochrane

Conversions: James McFerran (3)

Penalties: James McFerran