Harlow 2nd XV 17 Chingford 2nd XV 24

Merit Table

Harlow just lost out on a fairly even encounter against a sharper and larger Chingford 2^nd XV going down 17 points to 24.

The first 30 minutes was a cut and thrust affair with both teams spreading the ball well but enable to break through the others defence.  Chingford managed to have the best chances though.  Their outside centre running a nice angle managed to break through the first line of defence only to be held up over the line by some excellent cover tackling by Neil Fitzpatrick.  Unfortunately for him this was his last action of the game as on a Harlow counter attack a severely late tackle on him forced him off with a shoulder injury.  Galvanised by this Harlow started to take the initiative and start to take control of the last ten minutes of the half.  A well struck penalty kick out to touch from just inside Harlow’s own half by fly-half Ian Bate saw Harlow get a lineout just inside Chingford’s 22.  A catch and driving maul saw Harlow inch ever closer to Chingford’s try line.  Retaining the ball well Harlow managed about 9 phases of play before skipper Kerry Palmer powered over the line to score Harlow’s first try converted by Bate to see Harlow take the lead 7-0.

A quick penalty by Bate soon after saw Harlow lead 10-0 however just before the break Chingford managed to turn over a Harlow ruck and race in from 20 metres out to cut the lead in half to 10-5 at half time.

Chingford started the better of the two teams in the second half and were the first to score.  Chingford’s inside centre managing to intercept a Harlow pass broke through and managed to off load in the tackle to his team mate to race through to score.  Again the conversion was missed to tie the match 10-10.  Chingford then started to take the game to Harlow.  Some excellent combination play between their forwards and backs kept Harlow penned into their own half however Harlow defended very well, but they just could not hold up forever against the sustained Chingford pressure and after several tap penalties and rucks just on Harlow’s line one of their forwards managed to crash over.  There was no mistake with this conversion and suddenly Chingford had the lead 10-17.

Harlow’s only other chance of the match was well taken however in what was probably the best try of the match.  Some brilliant hands from both Gareth Powell and Gareth Polkinghorn saw the impressive Polkinghorn break through two tackles, a well timed pass to winger Steve Ward in support saw Ward cross over the line.  Bate made no mistake with the conversion for Harlow to see them draw the game 17-17.

The match was far from over however and gain another period of Chingford dominance was rewarded with another forwards try to see them take the lead again 17-24.  Harlow tried to claw their way back into the game but by then it was a case of too little too late and Chingford managed to hang on to win 17-24.

Tries: Palmer, Ward

Conversions: Bate (2)

Penalties: Bate

Team: Clarke, Wilkins, Williams, Hughes (Twills), Palmer (Capt), Delgreco (J.Hodges), Roberts, Parsons, Fitz (L.Hodges), Bate, Ward, Powell, Polkinghorn, Webb, Kent-Pope.

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