Harlow 0  Basingstoke 24

Powergen Cup Qualifying Round

Despite the score line Harlow can take some satisfaction from a solid performance against Basingstoke on Saturday. The Hampshire side played in the National League last season and proved to be a physically strong and well drilled outfit. Had they been facing the Harlow team as it was last season a very large score would have been inevitable. As it was Harlow played solid rugby throughout the game coming very close to scoring on several occasions.

Harlow welcomed a number of new and returning players to the side headed by Alan Yates in his new role as Player/Coach at the club. He played a very strong game as did new signings Nick Ford and Daniel Els. Gary Brown made a welcome return at tight head prop providing much needed front row strength. He was joined by David Stradling (centre), Paul Scott (lock) and Lee Smith (wing). Smith showed he has lost none of his pace and came within inches of scoring when his foot just clipped the touchline at the end of great run. Stradling showed that he can still commit players and can get across the gain line and will add penetration to the Harlow three quarters. James Grover had a great game at lock taking his own lineout ball cleanly and also stealing a considerable amount of the visitors throws forcing them to use improvised short throws to the front to the line on a number of occasions.

Despite pressure from the visitors the Harlow defence held solid for 25 minutes before the Basingstoke Kiwi player coach Jim Dixon, playing open side flanker, broke free from a maul to score an unconverted try. Harlow had some good chances from the backs but were facing a defence who were up very quickly and the final pass just did not go to hand. Five minutes before the end of the half Basingstoke extended the lead when their weight advantage told at a rolling maul and they put lock Simon Appleby over for a try converted by Brian parsons.

Harlow started the second half well making much better use of the boot to push play up into the visitors half until, on the 50^th minute, a Basingstoke counter attack saw their winger Jason Luff run in a very well taken try, again converted by Parsons. Harlow responded well and for a large part of the half had a much better share of the territory. Two good attacks saw the ball chipped over the line for Stradling to chase but the bounce favoured the defenders. Basingstoke were always quick to counter attack from the breakdown but some very good cover tackling by Harlow kept them out. Esterhuyse the Harlow scrum half in particular was very effective. Lee Smith went over in the corner at the end of forty yard attack by the Harlow backs only to have the try disallowed for a foot in touch. It did however establish the Rams in the visitors twenty-two and they produced some good pressure play from the forwards winning three five meter scrums before the Hampshire squad cleared their lines. The final Basingstoke try came in the 70^th minute when Harlow counter attacked from deep in their own half. The move started well and they moved the ball across the field before a long kick failed to find touch and the Basingstoke backs responded very quickly to put their centre Dan Rees over in the corner. Despite the setback Harlow continued to attack right up to the final whistle.

Team: James McFerran, Gary Stanley, Wayne Morgan, David Stradling (sub Darren Dunn 72), Lee Smith (Capt.) , Nick Ford (sub Adam Spencer 61), Rudi Esterhuyse, Scott Thorne (sub Robert Cochrane 68), Stephen Lakin, Daniel Els (sub Gavin McFerran 80 ),

Paul Scott, James Grover, Gary Brown, Martin Mallia, Alan Yates (sub Danny Lane 59) Replacement not used: Scott Romaine

Next week Harlow are at home to Thurrock in their first league game of the season. It will be a big test; the visitors have a good reputation in the division and Harlow need to show that they can hold their own in the division. Kick off is at 3pm and some support on the touchline would be welcome.

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