Harlow 17 Campion 16

London League Division Three North East

3rd December 2011

Campion could well be forgiven for thinking they had this match all sewn up, leading as they were by 16 points to 7 with five minutes to play. They did not however take into account a massive commitment from the Harlow pack and the boot of Harlow fly half Michael Dobson. Campion School has a very good reputation for open running rugby and this carries over into the club side which always features a strong contingent of former pupils. On Saturday they had both pace and skill in the backs forcing Harlow to work very hard in defence. In the pack however Harlow had the edge and it was the visitors who had to defend. They did so well for much of the time and stopped a number of moves where Harlow would normally get over the line. Unfortunately in doing so they produced too many infringements and the referee made them pay for it to the extent of two yellow cards and a penalty try.

Harlow started strongly taking play into the Campion half. They had several chances using the driving maul but were held out. On two occasions they had kickable penalties but opted for the scrum. From a maul following one of these the Campion winger collected a yellow card only 17 minutes into the match. Despite being a man short the visitors worked very hard cover tackling and Harlow could not get over the line. Campion finally cleared the ball up field and when Harlow were penalised slotted a penalty for a 3 – 0 lead on 25 minutes. From the restart Harlow had a further spell in the visitors 22 and used the possession to give their backs a chance. The Campion defence was solid however and when they took possession they broke out with the ball in hand and ran in a very good try which they converted for a 10 – 0 lead which they held until half time.

Harlow, now playing up-hill, started the second half strongly. Two minutes into the half they picked up from a scrum inside the away 22 and offloaded to Harlow fly half Dobson. Instead of passing the ball out he made a solo break and was too strong for the defenders crashing over for a try which he converted reducing the deficit to 7 – 10. Five minutes later Campion extended their lead with an excellent long range drop goal. It continued as a cut and thrust game and in an exchange of penalty attempts Campion took the score to 7 – 16 as the game went into the final 15 minutes. Harlow raised their game and subjected the visitors to nonstop pressure in their own half. Although their pack was now dominant the Campion cover was good when they tried to spin the ball wide. Injuries to Danny Stonehouse and Chris Webb brought Prindiville and Milnes on with just over 5 minutes left. Then from a five metre scrum the Harlow pack drove forwards. They were on the line and looked as though they would score the pushover try when an infringement by a Campion player resulted in a penalty try and a yellow card. Dobson converted but at 14 – 16 and two minutes to go it looked too late. From the restart Harlow took play to within 30 yards of the try line and then when they passed the ball out Dobson took the responsibility and went for the drop goal. It went over with a couple of feet to spare and for the first time in the match Harlow were in front. Harlow took the ball from the restart and cleared to touch. Campion took a quick throw and attacked again but Harlow regained possession and with time up cleared to touch to clinch the narrowest of wins by 17 points to 16.

This week Harlow are away to South Woodham Ferrers in a game which rounds off the first half of the season. A win would be an enormous boost given that league leaders Holt play third place Stowmarket who have been storming up the table in recent weeks. A lot will depend on the Harlow injury list. With Ferrers having home advantage it will need a good squad.
 

As it happened:

17 min: Campion (16) Yellow card repeated infringement
25 mins: Campion Penalty (10) 0-3
35 mins: Campion Try due to missed tackles by Harlow. Conversion successful 0-10

(Timings may be slightly out due to Campion's shirt change and injury)

Half time

42 mins: Harlow Try M. Dobson (10) from scrum pick up and go. Conversion successful (10) 7-10
47 mins: Campion drop goal (10) 7-13
53 mins: Harlow Penalty missed (10) 7-13
64 mins: Campion Penalty (10) 7-16
65 mins: Stuart Wilkins replaced Martin Mallia tactical
73 mins: Alex Milnes replaced Chris Webb injury
74 mins: Paul Prindiville replaced D Stone house injury
76 mins: Harlow penalty Try due to repeated infringements from Campion. Conversion successful (10) 14-16
76 mins: Campion Yellow card (3) repeated infringement
78 mins: Harlow drop goal M Dobson (10) 17-16 more or less the last kick of the game

 

Tries: Michael Dobson, Penalty

Conversions:  Michael Dobson (2)

Penalties:

Drop Goal: Michael Dobson

Team List

1 -  David Roze

2 -  Martin Mallia (Sub Stuart Wilkins)

3 -  Danny Stonehouse (Sub Paul Prindiville)

4 -  Mark Twiner

5 -  Kerry Palmer

6 -  Shaun Roberts

7 -  Mark Bowering

8 -  Darren Hawkins

9 -  Lee Harron

10 - Michael Dobson

11 - Chris Webb (Sub Alex Milne)
12 - Wayne Heapy
13 - Luke Bowering

14 - Rob Mackie

15 - Aled Hills

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