Brentwood Vets XV 26 Harlow 4th XV 36

Friendly 

A 12.30 kick off was arranged so that everyone could watch the Internationals.  Harlow were changed and ready to go, the opposition arrived in dribs and drabs and eventually hit the pitch with a player short, needing a prop and having just the shirt for him Danny Fitz started for the opposition.  Harlow got off to a great start with Crabby getting one of his usual, high, neck snapping tackles.  I think he has some sort of magnetic neck which attracts high tackles, as he seems to get a lot, either that or it’s the only part of his body the opposition can get hold of.  From the penalty, Crabby offloaded to Mumbles who gave it to Karl, to go in under the posts.  Crabby stepped up and converted, 7-0.  From a scrum Aunty broke blind and chipped across field into the arms of the waiting Brentwood fullback, this gave an indication of the wind, as I am sure that isn’t where he wanted the ball to go.  Another scrum, gave Mex the chance to pass the ball out to Rob Matthews who delayed his pass and put Karl clean through the gap and in under the posts, Crabby again adding the 2 points.  Much of the play was now Brentwoods, they span the ball out wide to their winger, he took one look at the Hammer, soiled his shorts, and passed it straight  into touch.  The Hammer was not the luckiest bloke, when he received the sort of hospital pass you never want to see, inside our own 22 with his opposite number on his way to bash him (hang your head in shame Mr. Matthews)

Another scrum and a box kick from Mex, chased by himself and The Hammer left the opposition fullback in a heap on the floor.  Unfortunately Brentwood were able to score in the right corner and convert, and then Harlow conceded another when assisted by Danny ”Judas” Fitz they pushed us back and scored, again converted.  With the score at 14-14 Crabby kicked out of defence, chased and collected his own kick and through to score under the posts 21 -14.

 Unfortunately we had lost Barney to a clash of heads, another scar to his face and dark mutterings from his missus.  This left the line out in a bit of disarray, Gaggy being the lightest(bit worrying) went up, securing not only our ball but some of the oppositions as well.  Chris Powell collected a kick through and his eyes lit up as the 5 foot nothing winger was the first to arrive, it was not good for the winger!!

A few penalties for offside against us, left us defending our lead, although we were next to score, a chip over the approaching back line saw Mumbles collect his own kick and score with a very graceful but completely unnecessary ballet style dive in the corner.  Unable to convert, the score was 26-14.  The next two tries came from Brentwood who were not giving up, their second row was not going to stop from close range.  The other score came from an interception, no-one was going to catch the player who timed his run well and took the ball at pace.  26-26 was the score when Crabby joined the back line and ran outside the winger and in under the posts.  The final and most important points came from the boot of Crabby who kicked a penalty from inside the opposition 22 sealing the win for Harlow.

Injuries include Darren whose knee did not look good, and Karls shoulder which looked worse, added to this Ginger Phils knee and Barneys face, all four may be out until after Xmas.

Scorers- Karl 2 Mumbles 1 Crabby 2

Conversions- Crabby 4

Penalty-Crabby 1

MOTM-Crabby, whose neck muscles must be like iron by now.

COTM-Mumbles for being warned 4 times he was offside and still not stopping, diving to score his try instead of passing it to Crabby for his hattrick, thereby denying him the opportunity to get a jug and drink chilli vodka.

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