Harlow 4th XV 27 Canvey Island 4th 19

Pre-season friendly 

The fourth team arrived raring to go.  We had ample numbers as always at the start of the season.  A check on the opposition website revealed our opponents had had 2 consecutively good seasons.  We fielded a strong starting 15, once the referee issue was resolved. Tony explained how the new rules would affect us and we started.  Playing downhill to start we got off to a good start with some committed running and tackling.  Our new scrum half got off to a flying start as we completely dominated the scrums.  We won all of our own ball and most of the opposition.  This put us in a strong position.  The opening score arose form a lineout on the opposition 5m line.  Justin, the scrum half drew the opposition cover to slip the ball to Mark W who scored.  Raised by opening the scoring we went on to score our second, Tony took the ball at inside centre and crashed through 2 defenders to score. Our third came from Justin the scrum half taking the ball

 blind, drawing the defence and slipping the ball to Rob our winger, who was unstoppable at close range.  Try 4 came from the forwards, with Jeff(Aunty) burrowing over and once Tony had checked the grounding we were awarded the score.  Our opposition were not slow in putting some points past us,  after some ill advised play Harlow found themselves 2 short( yellow cards or a well needed rest?).  The Canvey Island backs spun it out and scored.  At half time in true 4th team fashion we made substitutions to get everyone at least half a game.  The second half resulted in us only scoring once more with Barney unselfishly passing to Steve who scored.  The conversion was made by Karl who also came on at half time.  The game was played in a friendly manner with Canvey proving to be great opponents.

Several players played for the first time for the 4ths(some for the first match ever).  Special mention goes to John "Hammer" Harrison who stopped the opposition scoring, set the ball up in the tackle and who popped the ball up, nearly resulting in a try.

Man of the match - Too many to identify but would include; Chris P, Paul at full back, James at hooker.

C of the match- M. Wedd for not looking when the scrum half passed the ball to him.  Justin and his cross-field kicks.

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