Harlow 8   Shelford 30 - (To view more match reports - click here)

Powergen London & South East Div II North

In the 1st XV game against Shelford the Harlow players were unable to capitalise on an 8-5 half time lead provided by a Darren Dunn penalty and a Paul Eynon try. Early in second half the Shelford had a couple of lucky breaks which meant they took the lead and kept the pressure coming. Eventually winning 30-8. The 2nd XV were more successful against Shelford Seconds the winning 25-17. If you look behind the raw statistics Harlow are turning round the disastrous performance of last season. There are now more players involved and more games being played by all the teams. In the case of the seconds the new approach is playing off with plenty of wins against good quality opposition. The firsts are still losing most of the time but with a few exceptions are not out of their depth. New young players are showing real promise but need more match experience in league rugby at this level. They will match the success of the seconds but not in time for this season. It is important that they hove the resolve to keep grafting and to climb back up in future seasons.

On Saturday, unable to find any rhythm in attack, Harlow defended for most of this match and for sixty minutes defended very well.

Shelford took the lead their fly half breaking from mid-field and sidestepping through. No conversion. Harlow then began to mount an offensive and worked their way slowly into Shelford’s half. As they got within striking distance Shelford strayed offside at a maul and Darron Dunn kicked a well struck penalty.

Gary Brown went off for a blood injury for five minutes and Ephgrave came on.

A minute later Handscombe left the field with a groin strain. The replacement Dominic O’Dell. went onto the wing and Vanbeck covered the full back slot. Harlow were back on the attack following great kick for touch by Gareth Powell into Shelford’s 22 from his own half. Shelford fumbled the lineout ball and Eynon pounced to score. 8-5 to Harlow.

Brown left the field again and Harlow defended stubbornly to keep in the lead until half time.

Five minutes into the second half and the visitors struck again. Strong running from their outside centre to score, try was converted. Brown returned to action. Harlow still in defence and Alan Yates binned for knee up. After 15 minutes Shelford scored another try their winger scoring in the corner.

With 20 minutes to go hooker Scott Romaine was injured and Tommy Johnson came on. Another five minutes of dogged defence then on 27 minutes Shelford’s backs broke through again. This try was converted. They then kicked a penalty in front of the posts with five minutes to go and scored another unconverted try in the last minute of the game. A slightly flattering final score which did not do full credit to the dogged defence by the home side.

Team:   Yates, Romaine ( sub Johnson 62), Brown (Sub Ephgrave twice: blood), Cochrane, Scott, Eynon, Pope, Thorne, Dunn, Brown, Morgan, Powell, Smith, Vanbeck, Handscombe ( sub O’Dell 15)

Try: Eynon. Penalty: Dunn

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