Harlow 12 Braintree 25

London League Division Two North East

28th November 2009

A three try spell in the middle of the first half was too much of a hurdle to overcome for the Rams who almost grabbed  a win.

Second in the  table Braintree  looked far from being contenders for promotion as some fierce tackling and determined rucking and  mauling from the Rams kept them on the back foot. After a bright start which saw Harlow on the offensive,,  for the first ten  minutes, Braintree began to make some ground into Harlow territory.   During this  period  fly half Michael Dobson  had two penalty attempts, neither of them straightforward or successful. Braintree struck with  their first try in the tenth minute having forced a 5 metre  scrum and mauling across the line, the scorer second row Wes Apps. They struck again in the 22nd minute  this time attacking through the middle. With excellent passing and ball handling they went from one side to the other and hooker Steve Sewell finished off the move . Three minutes later Braintree  scored their  third try which came  from a line out and quick ball,  winger  Tim Ashford the try scorer. Centre Charles Monk added three more points as he kicked a penalty for visitors.

Despite this setback  the Rams replied with  an excellent  try. James McFerran  who played very well at inside  centre , broke through the Braintree defence  and off loaded to  Michael  Dobson. The fly half made a powerful run, bushing aside tackles to cross the line and scored a try. Dobson then kicked the conversion just before Half time  7-18.

Harlow began to gain control over this game with forwards dominating.  They scored their second try in  the  50th minute, Mark  Bowering  having  come off to be replaced by James Clark at wing forward. Harlow’s second try was scored by wing Simon Vanbeck following a  quick interchange of passes between the Harlow three quarters .This score spurred  on the home side to mount a series  of attacks. They came close to scoring but it was the visitors  who had the last word. It was the winger Tim Ashford  who scored his second try following a speculative long kick which bounced perfectly for him, the try converted by Monk.

Harlow dropped a place in the league table falling to fourth from bottom . Hopefully some of their injured players will begin to return to duty soon.  They include scrum half Lee Harron, with  cracked rib, James Ephgrave (shoulder) , Stuart Wilkins, David Stradling and Fozzie Brown. Also two first choice second rows Darren Hawkins and Mark Twiner.

Tries: Michael Dobson, Simon Vanbeck

Conversions:  Michael Dobson

Team List

1 -  Paul Prindiville

2 -  Scott Romaine (Captain)
3 -  Marc Williams (Sub Matt Branch 60 mins) 

4 -  Terry Blackwell  
5 -  Paul Eynon  

6 -  Shaun Roberts 
7 -  Mark Bowering (Sub James Clark 40 mins) 

8 -  Kain Claridge
9 -  Charlie Woodington
10 - Michael Dobson

11 - Simon Vanbeck
12 - James McFerran (Sub Seamus O'Brien 70 mins) 
13 - Luke Bowering

14 - Dan Hockley

15 - Rob Mackie

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