Harlow II 27 Romford II 5 To view more match reports - click here

Harlow maintained their 100% home record against a strong Romford 2^nd XV to maintain pressure on league leaders Campion on Saturday at Rams Gorse.

After last weekends shock defeat to Basildon Harlow needed a win against a team who beat them comprehensibly last season and did not disappoint with an inspired performance from Alasdiar Phillips in what was only his second game back from injury.

Harlow started off sluggishly with Romford crashing the ball up the field to take them deep into Harlow’s 22 where a series of rolling mauls left them tantalisingly close to Harlow’s try line.  However Harlow defended stoically and a stolen lineout allowed Guthrie to then kick the ball out and relieve the pressure.  By this point Harlow started to move up a few gears using the forwards to earn the hard yards.  Keeling then released Phillips who sprinted from the halfway line to Romford’s 10 metre line who drew in his defender and offloaded to Roberts who in turn made a break into Romford’s 22.  Roberts then offloaded to Ward who showing a good change of pace cut inside his opposite number to score his 6^th try of the season.  Phillips then missed the conversion to make the score 5-0.

Harlow then maintained the pressure on Romford with some excellent defending and some nice forwards work, only sloppy penalties and handling errors keeping Romford in the game.  A scrum in the middle of the park then provided the opportunity for Harlow’s second try of the game.  Guthrie taking the ball on the right switched play to the left and released Phillips who then ran through three Romford defenders to score a fantastic solo try.  Phillips kicked his own conversion to make the score 12-0 at the break.

The second half continued much the same way only some dubious refereeing decisions and last ditch tackling kept Harlow at bay.  Romford’s rolling mauls where proving to be a thorn in Harlow’s side as the much bigger pack used their weight to full advantage.  However Harlow showed them that anything they could do they could do better with a rolling maul of their own from a line out resulting in Harlow’s third try scored by Marc Williams.  Phillips missed the conversion to make the score 17-0. 

By then Harlow where in full charge of the game and shortly after Phillips scored his second try of the game.    Harlow again worked up the middle with the impressive Branch, who proved he is capable of making the step up to second XV rugby, making the hard yards.  The ball was then released to Phillips who again attacking from deep ran into trouble he then delivered a delightful weighted chip over the top of the oncoming Romford defence.  Collecting his own kick he then run the rest of the pitch to score.  Again converting his own try to make the score 24-0. 

Unfortunately after scoring his second try Phillips then had to retire injured and after already using their only substitute had to play the last 10 minutes with only 14 men.  Matters were further complicated when scrum half Peter Keeling was sin binned for what was a fairly innocuous offence.  Romford used this to their advantage and quick ball through their backs created an overlap for their winger to finish making the score 24-5. 

Harlow then decided to play the percentages with Guthrie using his boot to good affect to keep the ball in Romford’s half.  A penalty in the dying seconds of the game allowed Ward to make the game safe who then converted the penalty to make the final score 27-5.

Team:  Williams, Snell (Capt), Bayford, Summers, Branch, Roberts, J.Hodges, Clarke, Keeling, Guthrie, Worthington (Griffin 60mins), Guthrie, L.Hodges, Perry, Ward, Phillips (Twilly 75 mins).

Tries:  Ward, Phillips (2), Williams.  Conversions Phillips (2) Penalties: Ward

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