South Woodham Ferris 15 Harlow 11

London League Division Three North East

10th December 2011

In a number of games this season Harlow have conceded an early leads to their opposition but then the saved the match with a storming final quarter. On Saturday however danger of this was only too clear as they failed to find the crucial final score against a good South Woodham Ferrers. From the kick off South Woodham Ferrers pushed up deep into the Harlow half and took an early lead when Harlow conceded a penalty. Despite having the slope in their favour Harlow found it difficult to take play back into the home half but eventually on 10 minutes forced a penalty from applicable position which Dobson slotted to level the score. The game continued with both sets of backs relying on long kicks rather than attempting to attack with ball in hand. It was the home side however that had the best of the encounters when they did run the ball. Mid way through the half this paid off when they launched a good attack from within the Harlow 22 and two missed tackles allowed them a clean run to the try line. The conversion went over to give them a 10 points to three lead. Harlow had had the opportunity to narrow the margin when they were awarded a penalty for crossing and although Dobson’s kick had plenty of height it hit the post and bounced out. Minutes later another opportunity was missed when a drop goal attempts also hit the upright. Minutes before halftime Harlow conceded a penalty which allowed the opposition to set up a line-out within the 22. They took quick possession from the throw in and moved the ball through two pairs of hands before forcing their way over near the corner for an unconverted try making the score 15 points to 3 in their favour at the interval.

The second half started with little to choose between the sides but on those occasions when they did try to run the ball Harlow found the opposing defence well organized and effective. Ten minutes into the half a penalty opportunity allowed Dobson to reduce the deficit to 15 points to 6, helpful but still a two score margin. Mid way through the half one of the South Woodham flankers was yellow carded for killing the ball at the ruck. Harlow took good advantage of the extra man and attacked with a driving maul making very good distance before David Roze was able to power his way over for an unconverted try. Throughout the final quarter the Harlow pack continued to work very hard but were unable to maintain sufficient possession to take advantage of the territory they had. Several good clearances by the home side assisted in keeping play away from the danger zone and they held out for a very well deserved win.

Despite this result Harlow remain in second place but with Holt still undefeated and Norwich and Stowmarket in strong pursuit they will need to lift their game considerably if they are going to maintain their league challenge. On Saturday they are at home to Wanstead in the first of the return matches. In the away leg they found them a strong opposition and only clinched victory in the closing minutes. The defeat on Saturday increases the pressure on Harlow to win this match but it will take a much more committed performance than that they produced on Saturday. A lot may depend on injuries and player availability problems which have dogged Harlow in recent weeks.

As it happened

3 mins: SWF Penalty 3-0
10 mins: Harlow Penalty Dobson (10) 3-3
20 mins: SWF Try due to missed tackles from Harlow conversion successful 10-3
22 mins: Penalty Dobson (10) due to SWF crossing missed hit post and bounced back into play  10-3
35 mins: Mark Goggins replaced D Wright  due to injury

37 mins: SWF Try  conversion missed 15-3
40 mins: Drop Goal attempt Dobson (10)  hit post

Half time 15-3

50 mins: Penalty Harlow Dobson (10) successful 15-6
52 mins: Paul Prindiville replaced Martin Cunningham tactical
60 mins: SWF yellow card (6)
63 mins: Harlow Try David Roze (1) Conversion Dobson (10) missed 15-11
70 mins: Rhys Powell replaced Luke Bowering due to injury

Final score SWF 15 Harlow 11

Tries: Dave Roze

Conversions:  

Penalties: Michael Dobson (2)

Team List

1 -  Dave Roze

2 -  Martin Mallia

3 -  Martin Cunningham (Sub Paul Prindiville 52 mins)

4 -  Kerry Palmer

5 -  Mark Bowering

6 -  Danny Wright (Sub Mark Goggins 35 mins)

7 -  Shaun Roberts

8 -  Paul Eynon

9 -  Lee Harron

10 - Michael Dobson

11 - Chris Webb
12 - Wayne Heapy
13 - Luke Bowering (Sub Rhys Powell 70 mins)

14 - Rob Mackie

15 - Aled Hills

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