Harlow 16 Romford 18

(Half time 9 - 10)

London Three North East League

Harlow produced a much better more spirited performance on Saturday and although they could not get the much needed win took mid-table Romford to a tight two point margin.  Wayne Morgan at open side flanker had an outstanding game and the fact that they were able to field their three quarters in their correct positions made a big difference. Fly half McFerran kicked three penalties and a conversion but missed three other attempts. Any one of them would have been enough to win the game for Harlow.

For the first ten minutes Harlow dominated resulting in a penalty converted by McFerran for a 3 point lead. Romford worked their way into the Harlow twenty two for the first time and came away with a try, scored by their winger J. Davies and converted by fly half Gilmore. The Harlow pressure continued and forced three further penalties the first converted but the others were both missed. Eventually just before the interval the Romford centre was sin binned and McFerran kicked the resulting penalty, giving them a 9 – 7 lead.  Romford however hit back with a penalty on the stroke of half time to lead 10 - 9 at the turn.

In the second half Harlow had some promising attacking moves but could not convert their possession into points partly as a result of indiscipline giving Romford chances to clear.  Tom Webb was substituted by Matt Branch on 51 minutes and after another ten minutes Gareth Powell was replaced by Charlie Woodington at outside centre.

After more unsuccessful attacking play Harlow went further behind to a try by Romford which was not converted. Harlow conceded another penalty taking the Romford lead to 18 – 9. The last ten minutes saw Harlow attacking the Romford twenty two. A penalty in front of the posts three minutes from time hit the upright before Lee Harron scored a try in the last minute. He took a quick tap-penalty ten metres out and scored. McFerran’s conversion was not enough and the final whistle went giving the visitors a 18 – 16 win.

Tries: Lee Harron

Conversions:  James McFerran

Penalties: James McFerran (3)

Team List

1 -  Tom Webb   (Sub 55 mins Matt Branch)

2 -  Stuart Wilkins
3 -  Paul Prindiville  
4 -  Darren Hawkins  
5 -  Mark Twiner 
6 -  Shaun Roberts
7 -  Wayne Morgan
8 -  Paul Eynon

9 -  Lee Harron

10 - James McFerran

11 - Will Grimley
12 - Gareth Powell   (Sub 60 mins  Charlie Woodington)

13 - Luke Bowering )
14 - Simon Vanbeck
15 - Sean Banks

(Sub not used Kerry Palmer)

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