Harlow 10  Staines 44

Powergen London & South East Div II N

Harlow faced an uphill task against a side strongly tipped, even at this early stage, to win the league this season. The have recruited a number of former Premiership players headed by former international Chris Sheasby as well as a strong supporting cast of others with significant experience. Sheasby was the only one of their “big” names in the line up for Saturday but he certainly made his presence felt. While not getting on to the scoreboard he was involved in several of their scoring moves, frequently committing several players in the tackle and thus setting up scope for an overlap.

Despite the scoreline the Rams can take comfort from some good signs future the future; a good try from Paul Eynon, some good kicking from full back James McFerran and some very good breaks by Lee Smith, some of which would have resulted in scores against any lesser defence. Harlow kept their composure throughout and finished the game still pressing on the Staines try line.

Staines started with an attack deep into Harlow half and from the breakdown McFerran cleared to half way. They came back again making good use of their back row forwards

Until a penalty allows Harlow to clear. This put Harlow on the attack but eventually they were penalized allowing Staines to clear

A good run and chip by Smith put Harlow deep in the visitors 22 but from the breakdown

Staines counter attacked and outrageous pass between legs caught Harlow off balance creating a 3 man overlap and a try. Pressure by Staines in broken play put their Full Back over in corner but he was held up but Harlow defence.  Harlow defended well from scrum but eventually were penalized in front of posts allowing Staines to extend their lead to 8 points. From restart Harlow were in Staines territory and a chip for the corner was just covered by the Staines winger.

A good phase for Harlow followed the restart but then long miss pass which would have split visitors defence did not go to hand, allowing Staines to counter attack for a converted try under the posts and a 15 point lead. Almost immediately Harlow forced a penalty and James McFerran slotted the kick to bring the score to 3 – 15 in the visitors favour. Harlow continued to have a good share of the territory and possession but the Staines squad had better shape in defence and their forwards were quicker to the breakdown in numbers, meaning that they looked much more dangerous. In the latter stages of the half Staines extended their tally to 27 points with two tries, one of them converted. Sheasby having a hand in setting up the ball for both. Robert Cochrane was yellow carded trying to kill the ball at the second of these. In the closing minutes Harlow launched a good attack to wards the right touchline before moving the ball back in and Paul Eynon took the pass and drove in for the try, converted by McFerran making the score 10 – 27 at half time.     

The Rams made a good start to the second half with Lee Smith cutting inside to take a return pass breaking through towards the corner. The attack by backs was stopped just short of line. Harlow forced a penalty but McFerran was just wide with his shot. Soon after a Staines counter attack was half stopped but they then moved the ball through 3 pairs of hands for try in corner. Throughout the half Harlow had good possession often deep in the Staines half but ware faced by a well drilled and very fit defence. They had at least a half share of territory but twice the speed of Staines on the counter attack showed allowing them two more tries, one converted to make the final score 10 – 44.

Team McFerran, Vanbeck, Morgan (sub Snow), Esterhuyse, Smith, Jarvis, Johnson, Yates (sub Brown) , Mallia (sub Dunn) , Ephgrave, Grover, Scott, Cochrane, Lakin, Eynon

Harlow firsts have a break next week before they go to Norwich for their next league encounter. They will however try to pick up a friendly on the fixture exchange a part of their team development strategy.

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