Thanet Wanderers 24 Harlow 13

London & South East Div I

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It has been a disappointing season for Harlow but they can take some pride in putting in a very respectable performance against mid table Thanet Wanderers. Despite missing a number of key players including skipper Ben Jarvis, they held the home side to a respectable margin and produced some good rugby in the process. McFerran moved to fullback and played well in defence as well as contributing eight points with the boot. The return of veteran Richard May at half time as a replacement for the injured Grover made a big impact, quite literally. His power in the ruck and maul and on the break contributed to the Rams matching Wanderers point for point in the second half 13 each.

Harlow started well but unable to take their chances and conceded a penalty after 17 minutes.

They then spent 10 minutes in Thanet’s twenty-two being awarded two penalties and kicking the ball into touch for position but again couldn’t get over the line. The Thanet pack were much heavier and pushed the Rams back in the scrums but Grover dominated the lineout until he went off injured at half time. A further penalty in the 34^th minute extended the Thanet lead.

A penalty was missed by McFerran, kicking against a strong wind. Thanet went for a lineout following a penalty in the last minute of the half and mauled it close to the line allowing their winger Binney to touch down for an unconverted try; making the lead 11-0 at half time.

May, who came on at half time made a great impact both in defence and attack. Within five minutes we were awarded a penalty which McFerran converted and five minutes later another making the score 6-11.

From the kick off Thanet got the ball to their winger Binney who scored his second try after a sixty yard run down the right flank. Ten minutes later the same player scored again.

Harlow were not out of it and scored a super try. From a scrum on the left the ball went to fly half Fossie Brown who popped it to Wayne Morgan taking a great angle. Morgan bisected the two centres and at speed swerved around the full back to score, McFerran converted. A penalty in the closing minutes made it 24 – 13 at full time

Harlow First XV. Prindiville, Crump (sub Snell 54), Ephgrave, Eynon, Grover (sub May 41), Snow, Mallia, King. P, Johnson, Brown, Lakin, Morgan, Stanley, Phillips, McFerran, Subs not used Heath.

Try: Morgan. Conversion: McFerran. Penalties: McFerran (2).

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