Dagenham 1st XV 27 Harlow 2nd XV 17

Friendly

Harlow arrived at this fixture with just 5 minutes to kick off perhaps the lack of preparation was the reason for this inconsistent performance with Harlow brilliant one minute and awful the next. Straight from the kick off Harlow had a dream start scoring within minutes of kick off.  A short and high kick off from Darren Dunn ensured that Dagenham were put under pressure straight away.  Big hits from Hawkins and McKinley say Harlow turn over the ball and after good forwards crash ball work saw prop Danny Lane score out wide after an offload by McKinley over the try line.  Conv missed 5-5.

Dagenham struck back soon after with a similar try from the resulting kick off a lack of communication within the Harlow team saw the ball spilt from the restart which Dagenham somehow were the first to react.  Some driving play by their forwards saw them soon crash over to tie the score.

The reminder of the first half was a cut and thrust affair with Dagenham’s pacy backs asking questions of the Harlow defence at every opportunity.  An excellent break by their impressive inside centre saw him break through with a well timed off load leaving their winger an easy run in under the posts to lead 12-5.

However Harlow were soon asking questions of there own.  Constant probing by Stradling saw a clever chip kick over the rushing Dagenham defence for him to collect and run through to score.  Darren Dunn added the extras to tie the score 12-12 at half time.

The second half saw Dagenham gain ascendancy as Harlow started to fade out of the game.  A good rolling maul and a moment of opportunism from Ross Delgrecco on Dagenham’s try line was the only reward Harlow got in the second half leading briefly 12-17.  Dagenham rallied and enjoyed their best period of play dominating in the forwards to score two well-taken tries to emerge deserved winners 27-17.

Team:  Ball, Johnson, Lane, Hawkins, Eynon (Clarke), Delgrecco, Roberts, McKinley, Fitzpatrick, Stradling (Hodges), Heapy, Rundall, Webb, Phillips.

Tries: Lane, Stradling, Delgrecco.

Conversion: Dunn.

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