Harlow 15 Harpenden 30

Intermediate Cup Round 2

6th November 2010

With a number of first team regulars not available both sides in this cup tie took the opportunity to field young players, a good opportunity to see how they fitted into the structure.  The result could be considered a success in that both sides worked hard l to produce an entertaining game of rugby.  At different stages during the afternoon both teams were able to dominate the play and it was only in the closing phases of the game that try and a penalty put the visitors clear.

Playing with the slope in their favour, Harlow started strongly and it quickly emerged that they had the advantage as far as the pack was concerned.  They set up several good driving mauls which took them close to scoring before eventually taking the ball at  the line-out  and going forward with a committed drive which took them over the line allowing skipper Scott Romaine to touch down near  the corner.  Dobson slotted the conversion from out wide for a seven nil lead.  The Harlow pack continued to dominate the situation although on several occasions rucking infringements allowed Harpenden to clear their lines with well struck penalty kicks.  One of these was within kicking range allowing them to get onto the score board.  A good attacking move brought the visitors close to scoring are before a well placed chip kick finally put a player over for their first try and a 10 -  7 lead.  A Harlow penalty from Dobson and a very well organized backs try by Harpenden took the score to 17 points to 10 in favour of the visitors at half time.

Harpenden’s started the second half well and it began to look as though they were beginning to cope with the Harlow dominance in the forwards.  On balance they seem to have the speed advantage in the backs and they were beginning to link up much more effectively.  From a good attacking move  they were able to confuse the Harlow defence and cut through for an unconverted try taking the score to 22 points to 10.  Harlow responded with commitment keeping the ball tight within the forwards and making good use of both ruck and maul.  There had been several occasions when Harpenden players had seemed to be killing the ball and eventually one of them was yellow carded.  Harlow kept up the pressure if during the 10 minutes they had the advantage in numbers and once again were able to drive Romaine  over the line for an unconverted try.  With a chance of closing the gap Harlow kept up the pressure but in the final 15 minutes an increasingly confident Harpenden were able to control more of the game first extending their lead with a penalty and then with a final try to make the game safe at 30 points to 15.

This Saturday Harlow are at home to Ipswich in the league; it is an important contest where if they produce their best play it would be possible to take the points.  The situation is made even more critical by the fact that in the following three league weekends which finish off the first half of the league season they have to play the top three clubs.  Also at home on Saturday are Harlow second team who play Braintree seconds in the Essex Second Teams cup while on Sunday Harlow Ladies are at home to Hitchin in a very important league match.

Tries: Scott Romaine (2)

Conversions:  Michael Dobson

Penalties: Michael Dobson

Team List

1 - Danny Lane  (Sub Martin Cunningham 50 mins)

2 - James Lewis (Sub Paul Prindiville 50 mins)  

3 - Paul Johnson

4 - Kerry Palmer 

5 - Rob Treamer

6 - Scott Romaine

7 - Josh Drake

8 - Paul Eynon 

9 - Charlie Woodington  (Sub Sam Gregory 65 mins)

10 - Michael Dobson

11 - Chris Webb
12 - Luke Bowering
13 - Glenn Werner  

14 - Chris Bates

15 - Lewis Alderman

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