Harlow 23 Chelmsford 19

London League Division Two North East

17th October 2009

Harlow clinched an important victory on Saturday against local rivals Chelmsford. Although it does not move them up the table it keeps them in much closer contact with the bulk of the mid-table clubs and it enhances the gap between them and the clubs who are struggling in the relegation positions. If anything the scoreline is slightly flattering to Chelmsford because Harlow dominated a large portion of the game and with slightly better finishing and a little more good fortune could have achieved a much better scoreline. In his second game for Harlow Michael Dobson at fly half is settling in very well, he’s developing a good working relationship with Lee Harron and is providing quick and accurate service to his centres. If, in the coming weeks, the Harlow backs can take advantage of the possession this provides then a significant improvement is possible. On Saturday although good work by the backs produced two very good tries, but for some handling and communication errors there could have been several more. Overall however Harlow can be pleased to have taken the points against a side who had made a better start to the season than they had.

Within the first few minutes Harlow came very close to a score when a very good break by Shaun Roberts playing at flanker took him almost clear of the defence but unfortunately the final pass to Will Grimley did not go to hand when he had a clean run for the line. Harlow however continued to apply a pressure and played a substantial amount of the game in the Chelmsford 22. Against the run of the play a dropped pass midfield gave Chelmsford possession which they exploited to allow their centre to run in a try under the posts, converted for a 7 - 0 lead. Harlow countered very quickly exploiting a penalty to find touch inside the Chelmsford 22 they then attacked with a rolling maul which was initially held up but then the their forwards managed to drive over the line allowing ball carrier Paul Prindiville to touch down for the try. With the margin reduced to two points Harlow continued to attack strongly and 10 minutes later it was the backs chance to make an impression. At a breakdown inside the 22 Stradling playing at centre move to the blindside and when Lee Harron made a solo break he took the pass cleanly and cut inside the final defender and ran in Harlow’ s 2nd try. Dobson was just wide with the conversion but Harlow now had a 10 points to seven lead. Just before half time Harlow forced a penalty just outside the Chelmsford 22 and Dobson made no mistake with the kick allowing Harlow to turn around with a 13 points to 7 lead.

Playing up the slope Harlow started the second half well and had several good breaks which came close to the Chelmsford line. Then on the 46th minute following a forward drive towards the line Harron the passed the ball out to Dobson who dummied two defenders and powered his way over the line. He was momentarily held up but managed to twist his body and ground the ball for a try close to the posts. A clean conversion took the score to 20 points to seven in Harlow favour. A few minutes later the Chelmsford infringement allowed him a shot at goal and kicked it cleanly between the posts to extend Harlow’s lead to 23 points to 7. Chelmsford however came back strongly and careless tackling allowed them try a from the McLeoud and then a few minutes later a second try from Trayler closing the margin to 23 points to 19. Sensing victory the visitors mounted a continuous series of attacks on the Harlow line, on one occasion even getting across only to be held up by the Harlow defence. To their credit Harlow defended very strongly indeed for most of the last quarter and in the closing minutes were relieved when a penalty are allowed them to clear their lines and take more control of the play for the final few minutes.

On Saturday Harlow face their longest journey of the season, or wait and Norwich. But after struggling last season the Norfolk club have made a much better start and always represent a tough proposition on their own ground. In order to take points from this game Harlow will have to significantly build on the improvement that they showed last weekend. All weekend later they are away to Hemel Hempstead in the first round of the intermediate cup. The Hertfordshire side played in the equivalent north western division to Harlow and have a very similar playing record so far for. If Harlow can lift their game if just a little then a second round place is possible.

Tries: Paul Prindiville, David Stradling, Michael Dobson,

Conversions:  Michael Dobson

Penalties: Michael Dobson (2)

Team List

1 -  James Ephgrave (Sub Marc Williams 70 mins)

2 -  Scott Romaine (Captain)
3 -  Paul Prindiville

4 -  Darren Hawkins  

5 -  Mark Twiner
6 -  Shaun Roberts  (Sub Stuart Wilkins 75 mins)
7 -   Mark Bowering

8 -  Kain Claridge
9 -  Lee Harron
10 - Michael Dobson
11 - Will Grimley
12 - David Stradling  (Sub Wayne Heapy 65 mins)
13 - Luke Bowering
14 - Dan Hockley
15 - Rob Mackie

Picture below Courtesy of Harlow Star

Picture below Courtesy of Harlow Star

Picture below Courtesy of Harlow Star

Picture below Courtesy of Harlow Star

Picture below Courtesy of Harlow Star

Picture below Courtesy of Harlow Star

Picture below Courtesy of Harlow Star

Picture below Courtesy of Harlow Star

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