Harlow 2nd XV 10 Hertford 3rd XV 24

With two weeks without a match showed on Saturday as Harlow 2^nd’s lost 10-24 to a well-organised Hertford side despite dominating possession for most of the match.

Hertford started the sharper of the two sides and straight from the kick off started to take the game to Harlow. Hertford’s back three looked dangerous in the early stages of the game and a quick chip over the top by their winger saw him evade two Harlow tacklers to run in for Hertford’s first try an excellent conversion out wide by Hertford’s scrum half saw them race into a 0-7 lead.

Shocked into action Harlow soon started to find their stride.  Some good territorial kicking and excellent forward play soon saw Harlow work their way to just outside Hertford’s 22.  Quick ball from Fitzpatrick out to Brown saw a well-timed miss pass out to full back Phillips joining the line break through to score for Harlow.  Conversion by Webb saw Harlow draw level 7-7.

Unperturbed Hertford came back at Harlow and a cut and thrust affair between the two sides carried on for much of the half a Webb penalty putting Harlow ahead 10-7 until a Hertford counterattack just before Half-time.  Hertford won good lineout ball and a quick pass to their flanker saw him squeeze through a gap in Harlow’s defence to run in under the posts.  Their Scrum-Half made no mistake with the conversion to edge ahead 10-14 at half time.

The start of the second half saw Harlow take the initiative and the game to Hertford.  Some good territorial kicking by Phillips, Fitzpatrick and Brown forced Hertford to defend high up the field with Harlow’s forwards in fine form turning over scrum’s at every opportunity it looked as though they could put this game beyond doubt.  A well driven maul from a lineout saw Harlow go over Hertford’s try line only to be held up and a quick tap penalty out to winger Banks saw him go over the line only to bundled out to touch.  It was to be a frustrating afternoon for Harlow as they lacked that final pass and excellent defending from Hertford ensured that the visitors stayed ahead. 

Hertford took what little chances they had well and two quick counter attacking tries against the run of play in the final minutes of the game saw Hertford extend their lead and give them a flattering score line 10-24.

Team: Clarke (Mosely), Stonehouse, Branch, Hawkins, Palmer, Knightly (J.Hodges), McKinley, Roberts (Capt), Fitzpatrick, Brown, Webb (Archer), Powell (Sigston), Rundall, Banks, Phillips.

Tries: Phillips

Conversions: Webb

Penalties: Webb

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