Woodford 25   Harlow 12 - Essex Cup 1^st Round

Despite having several players missing yet again, Harlow produced a reasonable performance against Woodford on Saturday. More important in a few weeks time they are at home to Woodford in the league and must reverse this outcome if they are to start to climb out of the drop zone. At full strength and with home advantage it is possible but a few defensive gaps need closing.

In the absence of an established scrum half Harlow fielded flanker Steve Lakin in the No. 9 shirt. It was an option which paid off well for the early part of the game. When short of options he reverted to type and drove in the ball setting up some good forward platforms. Harlow had some good attacking opportunities but could not finish unto eventually Eynon came away on the charge, passed to Ben Jarvis who switched direction putting Stradling away and then a final pass put Lee Smith in at the corner. Harlow held on to the lead well into the half before a break out try lat Woodford draw level. A further try let the home side in front 10 – 5 at the turnaround taking of the fact that Grover had been given a yellow.

Woodford started the second half strongly and kept up the pressure adding another try and then a penalty to make it 18 – 5. For the third quarter Harlow had to defend hard but then got back into the game when Simon Vanbeck took the ball out wide and cut in splitting the defence on a 40 year run to score under the posts. Gary Stanley slotted the conversion to make it 18 - 12 and Harlow were back in the game. In the fourth quarter they began to take the game back to Woodford particularly through their forwards. The home side did not welcome the pressure and at various times conceded two yellow cards. In the closing minutes they made the game safe with a good breakout try by their winger following an interception and converted from well out.

Next Saturday Harlow are at home to Diss who are in bottom slot in the league. It really is a must win game for the Rams but will not be easy, their injury list is still long and Diss will be equally keen to start a revival. The game will kick off at 2.15 and support will be very welcome.

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