Chelmsford 2nd XV 15 Harlow 2nd XV 16

Cup

Harlow showed great character to rally back from being 12 points down to beat a much-improved Chelmsford side 15-16 in the Essex cup.

Harlow turned up to this match brimming with confidence after 3 wins from 3 and fully expected to make this 4 from 4 against a team who ply their trade in the league below them.  They were almost mistaken as from the off Chelmsford took the game straight to Harlow and started the brighter of the two sides enjoying much of the possession in the opening exchanges.  Fortunately for Harlow after about 10 minutes a Chelmsford player was sin binned for a high tackle allowing Harlow to slowly start to find their rhythm and play the expansive rugby that has become their trademark this season.  The ball was moved out wide to the backs with both wingers Ward and Webb both coming close to scoring but unable to get through the Chelmsford defence.  Chelmsford defended well and when their player returned from the bin they started to work their way back into the game.   A scrum inside Harlow’s 22 saw a Chelmsford backs move pay off for their centre to score under the posts for them to take a deserved lead 7-0. 

Stunned into action Harlow again started to try and work their way through the phases but just could not manage to get away the final scoring pass either squandering possession or knocking the ball forward.  The closest Harlow came to scoring was a line break by Centre Lee Hodges who broke through on Chelmsford’s 22 to release the ball to Second Rower Darren Hawkins in support to cross the line only for it to be cruelly disallowed as he was adjudged to be held up over the line.  With luck not with them Harlow decided to kick any penalties in a good position and a well-struck penalty by Fly-half Ian Bate saw Harlow trail 7-3 at half time.

The second half was just as frustrating for Harlow as after enjoying much of the possession they failed to convert this to points and where soon punished as a quick drop goal and an unconverted try out wide against the run of play saw Chelmsford take a 12 point lead 15-3 with 20 minutes to go.  With the threat of being knocked out of the cup at the first round for the third year looming Harlow somehow managed to finally started putting some decent passages of play together and work their way back into the match. With the outstanding back row of McKinley, Claridge and Roberts linking well with the backs Harlow soon started creating space out wide which they started to exploit with Centre Polkinghorne coming close to scoring after seemingly managing to break through the tackles of almost the entire Chelmsford back line only to be stopped just short.   Soon after this Harlow scored their first try.  A kickable penalty for Harlow was kicked out to touch for a lineout just outside Chelmsford’s 22.  A catch and drive by Harlow’s forwards saw them creep the 22 where the ball was spun out wide to Polkinghorne.  Showing good strength Polkinghorne managed to off load the ball in the tackle in No 8 Roberts in support to race through to score 15-8. 

Working the ball out wide wielded the best results for Harlow and with 5 minutes left a quick tap penalty from Harlow’s half saw the ball reach winger Steve Ward who showed his opposite number a clean set of heels to run in from his own half to score.  Again the conversion was missed for Harlow to trail by 2 points. 

Some good forwards play saw Harlow again pressure the Chelmsford defence about 10 metres out from their try line.  The ball was passed out to fly-half Ian Bate who had plenty off time to seize up for a drop goal attempt which sailed through the uprights for Harlow to edge ahead 15-16 to  win the game.

Team:  Williams, Delgrecco, Ball (Clarke), J.Hodges, Hawkins, McKinley, Claridge, Roberts (capt), Garwood (Kent-Pope), Bate, Webb, L.Hodges (Heapy), Polkinghorne, Ward, Phillips.

Tries:  Roberts, Ward

Penalties: Bate 

Drop Goals: Bate

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