Welwyn 2nd XV 18 Harlow 2nd XV 13

Friendly

Harlow only have themselves to blame for this narrow loss after a poor performance saw them come away with only their third loss of the season ending their 5 match unbeaten run. 

Harlow turned up for this match full of confidence after last weekends excellent win over Thurrock but just could not find their rhythm in a disjointed first half where they struggled to put any passages of play together.  A quick penalty from Welwyn shortly after the start of the match saw them lead 3-0 after sustained pressure on the Harlow try line.  Harlow retaliated immediately after the restart when a simply hands move from the base of a ruck saw winger Steve Ward run in out wide to cross the line for Harlow to lead 3-5.

The remainder of the first half was one of frustration for Harlow who, after having the lions share of possession, just could not seem to find the final try-scoring pass and squandered possession with poor tactical kicking.  A misplaced kick down field saw Welwyn’s back three launch a counter attack running through to score under the posts which they converted to regain the lead 10-5. A penalty by Fly-half Ian Bate was all Harlow could muster reducing the deficit to 10-8 at half time.

The second half was again one of frustration for Harlow who struggled to find any sort of composure despite enjoying much of the possession.  The frustration grew and soon Harlow where down to fourteen men after Hooker Martin Mallia was yellow carded for a dubious late tackle on Welwyn’s fly-half as he tried to clear his lines.  Harlow hung on however and some excellent tackling by centres Guthrie and Polkinghorne ensured that the only points Welwyn got for their efforts was a penalty out wide to edge ahead 13-8.

Back to a full complement seemed to galvanised Harlow as they started to work their way through the gears.  Some excellent ball carrying by Mallia, Hawkins and McKinley saw Harlow manage to break the gain line with more frequency as they pushed Welwyn back into their own half.  Again some excellent ball carrying by the impressive McKinley saw him dummy switch with one of his team-mates to break through the line.  Two on one against Welwyn’s full back he found Vanston in support who carried the ball over to score to tie the match 13-13.

Harlow maintained the pressure on Welwyn’s  keeping them on their 5 metre line for much of the remainder of the half only for Welwyn to score against the run of play.   A lack of communication at a lineout saw Welwyn’s number 7 to run through to make the score 18-13 at full-time.

Team:  Branch (Williams), Mallia, Fitzgerald, J.Hodges (Knightly), Palmer (Capt), Delgrecco, Hawkins, McKinley, Vanston, Bate (L.Hodges), Guthrie, Polkinghorne, Hynes, Phillips.

Tries:  Ward, Vanston

Penalties: Bate

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