Harlow 31- Hertford 5

Merit Table

The 4th team were at full strength this week having borrowed some players not needed by the 3rd team.  Having lost 4 players to injury last week there were some reinforcements needed.  Harlow got off to a strong start in the scrums pushing Hertford off their own put in, this set the scene for the whole game.  With the Harlow pack winning pretty much every scrum or spoiling the opposition ball.  Harlow opened the scoring when Danny ”ex-Judas” Fitz crashed over from 5 metres.  The 4ths had won a penalty, and from close range it was impossible to stop Danny from crashing over.  The referee had explained that staying on our feet was the order of the day at the breakdowns and we conceded a lot of penalties in this area.  The next scorer was Gaggy who peeled off from the back of a maul to score; Justin Swayze converted this try to make it 12-0.  Hertford got another dose of Danny Fitz who again crashed over from a penalty close to the line.  This was not converted and at half time the score was 17-0.  The game was being dominated by the scrum, we won nearly all of our lineout’s and the pace of the backs was starting to tell on Hertford.  The second half saw Harlow again conceding penalties although Hertford were trying to get us upset, there were some minor altercations of a handbag level.  Crabby and his mighty kicks started to take their toll on Hertford.  The next try came when Paul outpaced his opposite number to go in under the posts, follwing a well judged and perfectly delivered cross-field kick by Justin, he duly converted this score.  Hertford did not give up and were rewarded with a try when they scored from close range after a series of quick passes moved the ball out in their backs.  Harlow’s’ last try was made when Crabby set off down the wing at high velocity, chased down by three Hertford players he floated a pass in to Mumbles who yet again gracefully, swallow dived over the line, looking as though he would be at home in a pair of tights and ballet shoes with a sock down his pants.  This gave Crabby the opportunity to convert leaving the score at 31-5.  All credit to Hertford who stuck out to the end even when they did not see much of the ball.

Lots of people contributed to winning this game, Swampy whose constant tackles left the opposition reeling, Rob and Justin who make as good a partnership on the pitch as on the dance floor.  The pack as a whole built a solid platform for us to win from.

Man of the match-Crabby and Danny F

COTM-Mumbles (Ballet boy) for his persistent diving even after a warning last week.

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