Harlow 3 Chelmsford 59 

London League Division Two North East

22nd January 2011

On Saturday Harlow faced Chelmsford who are fourth in the league and who have produced some very good performances against other leading clubs. Based on this and on the extent to which they outclassed the Rams in the away leg it was clear that this was going to be a tough contest. The result is a clear picture of what happened although Harlow might have expected to hold them to a closer margin. There were a number of occasions when the Harlow backs moved the ball wide and had the potential to score but a poor choice of running angles allowed the Chelmsford defence to drift across and close the door.

The game was delayed for three-quarters of an hour when on the 20th minute Harlow centre Glen Verner suffered a very serious leg injury which involved the attendance of the air ambulance. He was diagnosed with a dislocated ankle and two fractures. The injuries were such that it took a considerable time before it was possible to move him in the road ambulance which was also in attendance. Play was delayed to such an extent that there was a serious discussion as to whether there would be time to complete the game or at least a complete an hour or more of playing time which is specified by the rules of the league if the result is to stand. In the end the game did go ahead and it was possible to complete although the last few minutes were played in near darkness.

In terms of territory Harlow started quite well and for a few minutes looked as though they were going to apply a pressure to Chelmsford but then a breakaway by the visitors’ backs allowed them in for a try under the posts. Two more tries and two conversions took the score to 19 points to nil at the time of the stoppage for the injury to Verner. From the restart Chelmsford continued to apply a pressure producing excellent handling both from their backs and from the forwards running in support, taking the score to 33 points to three at halftime. Dobson kicking the only Harlow points of the game from a penalty.

The second half continued in much the same way, Harlow had one or two periods when they were on the attack and on at least three occasions came within 7 or 8 yards of the Chelmsford try line. Chelmsford, on the other hand, were far stronger with the ball in hand. Although Harlow put in some very good tackles there were always support runners coming through at pace to take the ball and advance the Chelmsford attack. They added another 26 points during the second half the majority of them coming in the final quarter when the fatigue of nonstop defence began to tell on the Harlow team.

Old Streetonians produced a very good win over Sudbury at the weekend which allows them to move ahead of Harlow who are now in 11th position in the league. This weekend Harlow travel to Sudbury for the return match against one of the only two sides they have beaten this season. The Suffolk side will be a much tougher proposition on home ground but Harlow have a very steep hill to climb and if they cannot take the points on Saturday it will become even steeper.

Tries:

Conversions:  

Penalties: Michael Dobson

Team List

1 -  Danny Lane

2 -  Scott Romaine

3 -  James Lewis (Sub Martin Cunningham 65mins)

4 -  Kerry Palmer

5 -  Darren Hawkins

6 -  Mark Bowering

7 -  Josh Drake (Sub Shaun Roberts 50mins)

8 -  Paul Eynon

9 -  Charlie Woodington

10 - Michael Dobson

11 - Chris Bates
12 - Rhys Powell
13 - Glen Verner (Sub Chris Webb 19mins)

14 - Will Grimley

15 - Rob Mackie

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