Hitchin 22 Harlow 26

Pre Season Friendly

29th August 2009

Partly as a result of players not being available on a bank holiday weekend and with a few resting early season minor injuries Harlow fielded a team with a number of first choice players missing. The fact that they came away with a win is a tribute to those players who stepped up to cover the absentees and a clear indication that in some positions there will be strong competition for first XV places this year.

The pack contested well in the rucks and on several occasions made good ground in the rolling maul. The fact that many of them had not played together before meant that communication was not as good as it might have been and they lost possession once or twice by hanging on too long instead of releasing their backs. That said two good tries came from forward breaks by front row players Davies and Stonehouse.

The backs did not get the quick possession which would have allowed them to use their pace in attack. In defence however they tackled very well and denied Hitchin some good attacking opportunities. Wayne Heapy playing at centre was heavily involved throughout the game and was rewarded with a good try for his efforts. A good break by scrum half Fitzpatrick produced the try that clinched the game. At fullback Rob Mackie was secure and despite a strong crosswind was spot on with three out of four conversion attempts.

Tries: Chris Davies, Wayne Heapy, Danny Stonehouse, Neil Fitzpatrick

Conversions:  Rob Mackie (3)

Penalties:

Team List

1 -  Danny Stonehouse

2 -  Chris Davies (Sub James Lewis 40 mins)
3 -  James Ephgrave

4 -  Darren Hawkins
5 -  Paul Eynon (Sub Marc Williams 3mins)

6 -  Mark Barr (Sub James Hayden 40 mins)
7 -  Mark Bowering (Sub Jumbo 40 mins)
8 -  Shaun Roberts 

9 -  Charlie Woodington (Sub Neil Fitzpatrick 40mins) (Sub Sam Gregory 70 mins)

10 - Aled Hills (Sub Danny Smith 70mins)
11 - Sean Banks
12 - Wayne Heapy
13 - Simon Vanbeck

14 - Will Grimley

15 - Rob Mackie

Dagenham 2nd XV Harlow 3rd XV 24

Harlow 4th XV 57 East London 2nd XV 15

Pre Season Friendlies 

Good wins by the 3rd and 4th teams made it a clean sweep for Harlow on Saturday.  This weekend Harlow hope to have all four teams at home using staggered kick off times to provide rugby on two pitched all afternoon starting at 1pm. Harlow first will play Canvey Island in their final workout before they start their league campaign against Romford on the 12th.

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Shaun Roberts(Click to enlarge)

Aled Hills (Click to enlarge)

Click to enlarge

Charlie Woodington (Click to enlarge)

Chris Davies (Click to enlarge)

Chris Davies (Click to enlarge)

Aled Hills (Click to enlarge)