Harlow 4th XV 28 Black Horse 1st XV 29

Merit Table 

With the 4th team the only team at home it was nice to use the first team pitch and changing room.  A full squad to choose from made life easier for us and we had made the game a double-header as there is not a lot of space left in the fixture list.

We played downhill in the first half and had an early chance to take the lead from a penalty, unfortunately we missed, this did not worry us and it did not take long before we opened up the defence.  A ruck close to the line saw the ball passed out to me (making sure that I caught it) and I passed it to Crabby to go in under the posts. This was dutifully converted taking us to a 7 - 0 lead.  The Black Horse were quick to respond, when they kicked a penalty from close range 7 - 3.  The Harlow pack, were not as dominant as they usually are, the Black Horse front row is capable and experienced and made life hard for us for most of the game. 

The opposition hooker took a 4th team rest when he was spotted delivering a head butt to our hooker; he may have been unlucky to be seen, but on the other hand could easily have been sent off.  Ram raid was the first to be changed when he was replaced by Big Andy, the opposition were not too upset to see Ram go as he had caused them some problems.

Before we started, we had been warned that a foul that stopped a try being scored, might result in a penalty try and a yellow card.  Normally this does not really happen, so we all listen and agree loudly.  The Black Horse hooker/skipper was very surprised when we were awarded a penalty try, when he found himself “accidentally” coming in from the side at a ruck, and helping himself to the ball.  The only problem was that it was about a metre from their try line and stopped us scoring. 14 - 3  the score at half time.

A superb individual effort saw Crabby chip over the defence, bounce between 2 defenders, and he collected it on the way through to score under the posts 21 v 3.  The Black Horse skipper was having a few problems keeping quiet.  A penalty against the Black Horse saw them marched back 10 for dissent, another 10 for more dissent on the 3^rd time Tony reached for his pocket and gave the player a red card.  Probably a good job that he hadn’t heard what he had to say the first 10.

Unfortunately for Harlow this started a comeback; Black Horse found space on the wing and went over for a try 21 - 10.

Swampy was the next to score, after a period of pressure in the corner he went over from the base of a ruck.  Something was either said or done and it became a penalty try 28 v 10.  Harlow then conceded a penalty try; a high tackle not only gave them the points but left us a player down.  Two more converted tries left the score at 29-28 to the Black Horse.

The last kick of the game was a penalty to Harlow, Crabby stepped up and was unlucky with his kick (No-one else wanted to take it, that’s for sure)

A great game of rugby kept everyone entertained for the afternoon.  Bit gutted to lose but everyone gave it their all.

Funny moments- The B.Horse hooker looking surprised, when he was given a 10 minute rest for nutting Pete.  The B.Horse hooker looking surprised, when conceding a penalty try, for being about 3 foot offside at a ruck and stealing the ball.  The B.Horse hooker for getting a red card after abusing the ref 3 decisions in a row.  The B.Horse players arguing that the hooker could not be sent off, as he was their captain. Gaggy explaining to one of the opposition that the man being sent off, had told the ref to “eff off” twice.

At the end of the game everyone was knackered, a lot of people were limping/dying/bleeding.  Brian Viney came and had a chat to us, he was impressed with the rugby that we were playing, and there was no disgrace in losing to a team that usually beats us of the pitch.  We need to hold our heads up and be proud of how we played not mope on about how we lost.

We have 2 friendlies and then the cup match against Ely, let’s bring it on.

MOTM-Hammer stepped up this game with his tackling and support play, Crabby for his awesome try.  Karl and Mumbles for playing on when both looked as though they were injured. The front row for providing their customary solid platform(Pete, Chris and Danny) No one had a bad game, Gaggy and Swampy gave their all as did Barney, Andy, Wingco, Neal, Big Dan, Orange Justin ,  Rob/Alex Spinks, Fireman Mark.

COTM-Black Horse hooker has earned this. This means that Danny Fitz is excused it this week, although he will probably get it next week for taking the mickey out of “Fumbles”

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