Sudbury 16 Harlow 26

London League Division Three North East

12th November 2011

Harlow kept their promotion challenge on track with an important win at Sudbury on Saturday. Although Sudbury opened the scoring and were still ahead at the end of the first half Harlow finished up with four tries to their one and therefore secured the all important bonus point. Three of the four Harlow tries came from the pack and on the day it was the dominance of the forwards particularly a ruck and maul which proved decisive. Although Harlow conceded less penalties than in previous matches this is still a problem and had they not conceded so many they would have taken control of this match much earlier. Holt continue their unbroken run and Harlow hold firmly on to second place five points ahead of the next side, Norwich. They are however significantly lower than the chasing sides in terms of points difference and they desperately need one or two large winning margins to consolidate their position.

Sudbury started strongly and spent a large proportion of the opening minutes in the Harlow half. Harlow conceded penalties on eight and 12 minutes both of which was slotted by the home side for a 6point lead. Harlow countered making good use of the pack and a well placed kick gave them a lineout inside the Sudbury 22. Harlow came away with possession and drove for the line allowing Martin Mallia are the ball carrier to touch down for the try. The conversion attempt from out wide hit the upright and bounced out but at six points to five Harlow were back in the game. The next 20 minutes involve a lot of cut and thrust play with neither side able to take full control. The Harlow pack was however securing more good possession and making ground particularly with the rolling maul. With five minutes to go to the end of the half Harlow skipper Shaun Roberts came away with the ball to power his way over for an unconverted try putting Harlow ahead for the first time by 10 points to 6. On the point of halftime a penalty he in their own half allowed Sudbury to set up a line-out well inside the Harlow 22. They secured the ball and worked it away to go over for a try which they converted to give them a 13 points to 10 lead at the turnaround.

From the second half kickoff Harlow responded positively to their loss of the lead at the end of the first half. They quickly secured the ball and launched a very effective attack from the backs from which Luke Bowering playing at centre powered his way to the try line. He managed to stay the out of touch, but only just, to make the touchdown for the try. Dobson was just short with the conversion but Harlow were ahead by 15 points to 13. Six minutes into the half a painful shoulder injury meant that Denzil Crafton playing at No. 8 had to leave the field. Fortunately for Harlow they had another specialist No 8. player, Paul Eynon, on the bench. A further setback came on 52 minutes when Martin Mallia was yellow carded repeat infringements in the rucks. Sudbury slotted the penalty and were back in the lead. From the restart Harlow countered strongly keeping play within the Sudbury half and when they were awarded a penalty Dobson was on target to put them back in front by 18 points to 16. The game was still too close to call but the pressure was partially relieved with 4 minutes to go when a very good drive by the Harlow pack put Danny Stonehouse, playing at prop, over the line for an unconverted try. With just a minute to go Harlow were awarded another penalty which Dobson put clean Lee between the posts to put the game out of the reach of the home side. The game ended at the next breakdown with a win for Harlow by a 26 points to six staying. This weekend they are at home to Upminster who are in seventh place but have a scoring record which indicates that they are probably stronger than this position implies. Harlow will need to get out a full strength side and work extremely hard to make sure of the points in this game.
 

As it happened

8 mins: Penalty Sudbury (10) 0-3
12 mins: Penalty Sudbury (10) 0-6
15 mins: Try Harlow Martin Malia (2) a catch and drive from a line out conversion missed hit post and bounced in wrong direction Michael Dobson (10) 6-5
35 mins: Try Harlow Captain Shaun Roberts (6) from good forward work Conversion missed by Micheal Dobson (10) 6-10
40 mins: Try Sudbury (3) Conversion successful (10) 13-10

Half time

42 mins: Try Harlow Luke Bowering (13) hit try line corner flag Conversion missed just too short 13-15
46 mins: Paul Eynon replaced (8) Denzil Crafton due to injury
47 mins: Sudbury missed penalty
52 mins: Yellow card Martin Malia repeated infringement
56 mins : Penalty Sudbury 16-15
60 mins : Penalty Micheal Dobson 16-18
64 mins: Alex Milne replaced Werner Kotze tactical
67 mins: Try Danny Stone house (3) Conversion missed by Micheal Dobson (10) 16-23
76 mins: Martin Cunningham replaced Danny Stone house tactical
79 mins: Penalty Micheal Dobson (10) 16-26

Final score: Sudbury 16- Harlow 26

Tries: Martin Mallia, Shaun Roberts, Luke Bowering, Danny Stonehouse

Conversions:  

Penalties: Micheal Dobson (2)

Team List

1 -  Dave Roze

2 -  Martin Mallia

3 -  Danny Stonehouse (Sub Martin Cunningham)

4 -  Mark Twiner

5 -  Darren Hawkins

6 -  Shaun Roberts

7 -  Mark Bowering

8 -  Denzil Crafton (Sub Paul Eynon 46 mins)

9 -  Lee Harron

10 - Micheal Dobson

11 - Aled Hills
12 - Wayne Heapy
13 - Luke Bowering

14 - Wernez Kotze (Sub Alex Milne)

15 - Rob Mackie

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