Harlow 21 Thurrock 42

London Three North East League

Although Harlow produced flashes of the brilliant attacking rugby which has given them a good start to the season they were outplayed and perhaps more serious outthought by a strong Thurrock side. Thurrock realized that the Harlow strategy was partly based on accurate tactical kicking. They kept both their wingers and fullback deep when in defence and neutralized most of the ball aimed for the corner. The real damage for Harlow came from a powerful fast moving pack with five of the visitors tries coming from the forwards. Harlow need to keep a much tighter defensive line and above all need to make the first tackle count so that an attack can be broken down before in builds momentum.

Harlow started well and for the first ten minutes had Thurrock on the back foot taking the lead after 7 minutes with a long range penalty from fly half Humphries. The following ten minutes saw Thurrock cut loose with two converted tries and a penalty establishing a 17 -3 lead. Harlow tightened up the game for a while but  an unconverted try late in the half made it 22 – 3 at half time.

Harlow started well and Humphries cut the margin with a penalty but immediately from the re-start an unconverted Thurrock breakaway try too the score to 27 -6. For the next twelve minutes Harlow produced a total change of momentum Two good attacks were stopped just short before lock Darran Hawkins linked with the backs and took a good pass to break through the defence for a try, Humphries converted from out wide. This was quickly followed by another great try from fullback McFerran coming on to the end of the line to make the extra man. Humphries was just wide with a conversion from the touchline but minutes later added a penalty and at 27 – 22 it looked as if Harlow were back in the game. In the final quarter however Thurrock hit back with three unconverted tries to take the score to 42 – 21 at the close.

Next weekend Harlow are away to Brentwood who narrowly lost on Saturday to league leaders Sudbury, it will be a tough game on their notorious sloping pitch which creates a massive home advantage.

Tries: Darren Hawkins , James McFerran

Conversions:  Paul Humpries

Penalties: Paul Humpries (3)

Team List

1 -  Mobashar Mahmood (Sub 55 mins Ricky McKinley)

2 -  Stuart Wilkins
3 -  Tom Webb  
4 -  Darren Hawkins
5 -  Mark Twinner
6 -  Shaun Roberts (Sub 65 mins Wayne Morgan )
7 -  Lee Covington
8 -  Paul Eynon

9 -  Neil Fitzpatrick

10 - Paul Humpries
11 - Will Grimley
12 - Gareth Powell (Sub 65 mins Sean Banks )
13 - Ben Jarvis
14 - Simon Vanbeck
15 - James McFerran

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