Harlow 7 Romford & Gidea Park 32

London League Division Two North East

12th September 2009

Harlow’s high hopes for the new season took a step back on Saturday when they conceded six tries and one conversion to a try and conversion against a strong Romford side.

The visitors punished Harlow whenever their speedy three quarters gained possession ,their tries being scored by right wing John Davies (2), left wing Joe Howard (1), their fly half Dave Gilmore and inside centre Steve Barfoot. The only one of their tries to come from their pack was scored by number 6 Chris Wilkinson.

Harlow started well and new boy Dan Hockley, making his debut on the wing almost scored but was pushed into touch as he crossed the goal line. Having missed a penalty early on Romford scored a try in the sixteenth  minute  and two more  at regular intervals during the first half  With none  of them converted the   half time score was 15-0 to Romford.

The Harlow pack led by Skipper Scott Romaine played well in the set pieces. The  scrummaging  was  solid and the lineouts  a strong point. Darren Hawkins was dominant and won good line out ball against the head several times.

Lee Harron played at fly half , still a problem position  for the Rams, who also had Charlie Woodington , Paul Eynon and Paul Prindiville all unavailable. Harron moved to scrum half and David Stradling came on at 10 at half time when Neil  Fitzpatrick came off injured.   New prop Danny Stonehouse played well in his first game and was substituted by Marc Williams in the 60^th minute.

The Romford pack won much of their possession in the loose play which  let the Rams down  They also had some very fast backs who always look dangerous going forward.

Six minutes into the second half Romford scored again. Before long Lee Harron raised Harlow’s hopes  briefly when he scored from a quickly taken tap ,penalty from thirty metres out. His try was converted by full back Rob Mackie.

However Romford soon redressed the  balance scoring  within five minutes, this try being converted by fullback Matt Phillips.

On seventy minutes Harlow Colt James Clark made his first appearance for the First XV replacing Shaun Roberts. Romford scored their sixth try in the 79^th minute leaving Harlow to analyse the game and look for improvements against Enfield Ignatians next week.

Tries: Lee Harron

Conversions:  Rob Mackie

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Team List

1 -  James Ephgrave

2 -  Stuart Wilkins
3 -  Danny Stonehouse (Sub Marc Williams 60 mins)
4 -  Darren Hawkins
5 -  Mark Twiner
6 -  Shaun Roberts (Sub James Clarke 70 mins)
7 -  Scott Romaine (Captain)
8 -  Kain Claridge
9 -  Neil Fitzpatrick (Sub David Stradling 40 mins)
10 - Lee Harron
11 - Will Grimley
12 - Simon Vanbeck
13 - Wayne Morgan
14 - Dan Hockley
15 - Rob Mackie

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