Harlow 3rd XV 21 Millwall 4th XV 14

Merit Table

Saturday 7th November 2009

With the 3rd team numbers looking depleted this week and the 4ths with no game an arrangement was made to fulfil the fixture against Millwall.  The 2s took a couple of last minute extras and a couple of injuries left the team made up mostly of 4s.

Hitting the pitch in good time early to get warmed up, we sorted the team out and got going.  The opposition turned up as did the ref and off we went.  From the start Harlow set their stall out, tackles were flying in all over the place.  The scrum was strong for the whole game; we won all of our ball and some of theirs.  It may have something to do with a weight advantage, Millwall preferring the lighter fitter approach, and us relying on our sheer “presence.”  Chris Powell and Neal enjoyed the scrimmaging although I’m pretty sure their opposite numbers were less that delighted.  With Barney off this week, Gaggy went up in the lineout and proceeded to win all of our ball, and probably a third of Millwalls, this meant that we could use a rolling mall to give the backs something to work with.  Early on in the game a Millwall player tried to collapse the maul, all I can say is that by the time I got to him he was already regretting his tactic and he didn’t do it again.  Digger playing at 8 controlled the maul, talking to everyone and getting it moving whenever we stopped pushing.

Millwall scored first when they created an overlap and with a simple 2 on 1 scored in the corner, this served to fire up Harlow and a blistering run from Danny Fitz supported by Big Dan saw Dan score close to the posts.  Millwall had done well to stop Danny who turned and popped the ball out, No stopping Big Dan from a yard or so.

Mumbles scored next after the ball was spun out through the backs, failing to do his traditional dive means that he won’t be COTM this week.

Half time saw us turn round 14-12 up, Crabby had converted both kicks and Millwall got one of theirs.  We were now playing downhill which gave us extra impetus in the scrum and rolling maul.  10 minutes into the second half saw us bring on our subs, Banksy came on for Danny Fitz, Wingco on for Big Andy, James came on as flanker when Darryl went off injured.  Everyone played an awesome game getting all over the pitch and putting the tackles in as needed.

Millwall managed to score giving them the lead, unable to convert; we were still close enough to beat them.

This gave us some fresh legs and our next score was from a rolling maul, Gaggy was steering from the back and when all of the Millwall defenders were suckered into hitting the wrong part of the maul.  This left Gaggy with a shove to the line and touchdown close to the posts.  Crabby made short work of the kick giving us the lead.  Millwall fought to the final whistle in what was a tough, physical game.

We tried James and Crabby at fly half and both did really well playing out of position.  James delivered a massive try saving tackle on the big Millwall number 12 which I definitely enjoyed watching as by now he was my opposite number.  Justin at scrum half kicked well and shipped the ball out at every opportunity.  Both Robs and Nick Moore made sure that the wings were covered.

Comedy moments:  Digger and Justin not quite getting the blind side move quite right, as Justin set off, Digger stuck his leg out to keep the ball in (could have been worse, could have been a trigger move)

Chris Powell and Danny F making a sandwich of a Millwall player. Danny then taking the ball off him, as he tried to work out what had just happened (it involved about 40 stone).

Darryl moaning to the ref about being rucked out, having done the same about 30 seconds before.

Darryl talking to our opposition in Afrikaans

Banksy replacing Danny Fitz, Neal going as prop and the Millwall hooker could not believe he was getting a bigger opponent

My opposite number telling his fly half he was marking “the fat one”

MOTM- Always difficult as everyone had a good game. Danny Fitz, Chris P and Mumbles deserve it this week, Mumbles for chasing everything and hitting every tackle and Danny/Chris for getting round the pitch and making the scrum so much fun

COTM- James at full back saved himself from this award this week as he left Rob Jones at home waiting for a lift (he did go and get him) with his huge try saving tackle.

Last week the award would have gone to Gaggy for doing some warm up stretches in one of the many piles of dog poo.

So this week I am going to give it to Justin and Digger for the comedy blind side move.

4th team have Hitchin this week who are top of the table.  Should be fun.

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