Harlow 10   Letchworth 24

London & South East Div II North

In terms of the result Harlow’s depressing season continues but looking behind the score and there is some good news. Facing the fourth placed side in the league the statistics predicted a Letchworth win. Harlow however fought hard from first whistle to last and produced a much closer score line that could have been expected. There were times when it looked as if they might steal the game. On this showing they should be able to take some of the lower sides particularly if the injury list can be reduced. Much of Letchworth success this season is down to Bajak the highest try scorer in the league who had pace and massive physical presence. Harlow set a plan to mark him tightly and effectively shut him out of the game. The first ball out to his wing arrived with Harlow flanker and skipper Paul Eynon in close attendance and saw him dumped heavily. For the rest of the game good communication among the rams shut him out of the game. The rams forwards showed power and dominated the line outs and took more than their fair share of the scrums. In the backs the tackling was ferocious again with Morgan at centre putting in the big hits. Dominic Odell the colts scrum half moved up to cover the gap left by Sean Roth. He made a very good debut at senior league level in what has been a problem position for Harlow all season.

The game started well for Harlow with the forwards putting pressure on the Letchworth pack. After about 10 minutes a good break by Vanbeck on the wing took play deep into the 22 but the final pass did not go to hand. Minutes later however Stradling took possession and burst through for a try under the posts which he converted himself. For much of the half it was an even game with Harlow showing potential before in the 25^th minutes a handling error midfield allowed Letchworth to steal and run in a 40 yard try, cutting the margin to 7 – 5. Almost at the end of the half a penalty allowed Letchworth into the Harlow 22 and their forwards mauled the ball over for a 10 – 7 lead.

Early in the second half Stradling hit a long penalty to level it at 10 points all. Harlow continued to apply pressure but close marking always takes a team close to the offside line and a penalty put Letchworth ahead again. Another extended it to 16 – 10. Harlow had several good chances close to the visitor’s line almost making it from a 5 metre scrum and then on another occasion being penalised when a maul looked certain to go over. A further penalty took the lead out to 19 points leaving Harlow facing a two score margin and then a try from the maul near the end of the game stretched into to the final 10 – 24 scoreline.

On the 8^th January Harlow are away to bottom of the table Diss. The Norfolk side have been looking stronger in recent weeks and the Rams will need a maximum effort in this key game to repeat their clear win in the home leg.

Team: J. Ephgrave, T. Johnson, A. Yates, J. Grover, P. Scott, P Eynon (Capt), S. Lakin, K. Handscomb (sub R. Cochrane 65), D. Odell, D. Stradling (sub ,J. McFerran 70),

S. Vanbeck, G. Powell, W. Morgan, G. Stanley, F. Brown.

Replacement not used C. Ball,

Try: Stradling, Conversion: Stradling Penalty: Stradling.

A review of other match statistics, league tables etc can be found at www.rugbyroundup.com

To view more match reports - click here