Harlow 7 Thurrock 15

Powergen London & South East Div II North

Harlow finished with a narrow defeat to Thurrock on Saturday despite having held the lead for three quarters of the game. Harlow suffered a major setback in the first twenty minutes having to use all three of their substitutes. Two of these were replacements in the pack which considerably reduced the weight of the Harlow squad and also deprived them of key lifters in the lineout. The result was that for three quarters of the game the Harlow scrum was under pressure from a very heavy Thurrock pack. The result was the possession the backs did receive was frequently slow and often from a squad being drive back forcing the three-quarter to attack from static positions. Harlow can take some comfort from their first venture in this division of the league in that they look more than capable of holding their own at this level and with a full squad on the park should be able to start winning matches.

The game started well for the Rams with pressure play by forwards and backs taking the action well into the visitors half. David Stradling at centre showed that he is capable of breaking the gain line and setting up good ball for the second phase. With a little smoother recycling it will start to lead to points. Thurrock managed to clear their lines and for some minutes play was in the Rams half.  An early injury to Harlow number 8 Danny Els brought on Scott Thorne as a replacement but at this stage the home scrum was still holding its own. After about 15 minutes Harlow recycled a ball quickly and Paul Eynon the blind fide flanker came away in possession. Around the Thurrock 10 metre line he passed to Paul Scott playing at lock who charged down the field for a try under the posts. David Stradling converted for a seven point lead. It was unfortunately Scott’s final major contribution to the game. He was suffering from a hamstring injury and after another five minutes had to be replaced by Harlow’s second forward replacement Martin Mallia.  The game continued as a cut and thrust affair but with Harlow well able to defend their lead despite a further setback losing their winger Gary Stanley who was replaced by Darron Dunn. The half ended with the 7 – 0 lead intact.

In the second half Harlow started well and had some good possession in the visitors half. The Thurrock pack however was starting to dominate particularly in the mauls. Harlow had one very promising attack when Lee Smith got almost clear in the left wing but the support was not there quickly enough and he was denied the chance of an inside pass which would have put Harlow into open space.  With the slope in their favour Thurrock were now making good use of the long kick to touch forcing the Rams to attack form long range. They came close a couple of times but the Harlow tacking was good. Harlow gave them a way in, conceding two penalties within kicking range. Thurrock missed the first but slotted the second cutting the lead to 7 – 3.  With about a quarter of an hour to go they had several attacks using the rolling maul with cam close to the line. Harlow suffered a further setback when James Grover was yellow carded and from the ensuing penalty Thurrock set a maul and this time crossed the line for an unconverted try and a 8 – 7 lead. In the closing minutes with Grover back on the pressure told again and Thurrock were able to maul their way over for a second try, converted to give them a 7 – 15 victory.

Team:  WAYNE MORGAN, GARY STANLEY (sub DARRON DUNN 20), RUDI ESTERHUYSE,

DAVID STRADLING, LEE SMITH (CAPT.), BEN JARVIS, TOMMY JOHNSON, DANIEL ELS (sub SCOTT THORNE 12), STEPHEN LAKIN, PAUL EYNON, PAUL SCOTT (sub MARTIN MALLIA 17), JAMES GROVER, GARY BROWN, SCOTT ROMAINE, ALAN YATES

Next Saturday Harlow are at home to Staines who came down with them from Division I at the end of last season. Staines had a Narrow win on Saturday over newly promoted Civil Service.  Based on their form of last season it will be a tough call, a lot will depend on player availability following a spate of early season injuries.

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