1st XV – London League Division Three North East

Campion 28 v 19 Harlow

HARLOW made League leaders Campion work hard on Saturday but did not quite have an answer to their speed in attack. After a difficult start letting Campion get ahead they did take the lead and held onto it for the rest of the first half. However injuries to their two try scorers weakened them and this told as the game progressed. This result leaves Harlow in 7th place in the 12 team league. This weekend they are at home to Wisbeach who are in 9th place and then they are away to 11th placed Wymondham. These two games will end the first half of the league campaign before they start playing the return fixtures. If Harlow are to mount a challenge to the higher placed clubs in the second half of the season these are must win events.

In the opening minutes on Saturday Harlow conceded an easy penalty and then with just 12 minutes gone missed tackles allowed the very fast backs of Campion to run in an unconverted try for an 8 – 0 lead. Harlow settled and began to take better control in the forwards. When on 23 minutes they were awarded a penalty, a quick tap allowed prop forward Danny Stonehouse to make a break and crash over for a try near the posts. Dobson converted to narrow the margin to 8 – 7. Five minutes later it was the Harlow backs on the attack and Jamie Fricker at centre broke clear to go for the line and powered his way over for a try out wide. Dobson hit the upright with the conversion attempt but it put Harlow ahead 8 – 12. Unfortunately Fricker was injured in the move and it lost Harlow their most dangerous back. A penalty by Campion in the closing stages of the half narrowed the margin to 11 – 12 at half time.

Early in the second half Danny Stonehouse, who had been injured earlier in the game, had to leave the field denying Harlow of one of their most effective forwards. Within a space of twelve minutes Campion hit back and took control. First a break by their backs was allowed through by missed tackles leading to a converted try and an 18 – 12 lead. Seven minutes later when they broke away again a well placed cross kick for their winger produced an unconverted try. Then almost immediately from the restart they broke away again for another try taking the score to 28 – 12. In the final quarter Harlow came back into the match with their forwards now driving the Campion pack in both the set scrums and loose play. They narrowed the margin when they forced the home side back over the line where lock forward James Unwin touched down for the try. Dobson converted reducing the margin to 28 – 19. Harlow kept up the pressure in the closing minutes but could not find the elusive score which would have earned them at last a bonus point.

On Saturday Harlow are at home to 9th placed Wisbeach Kick Off 2.15pm. Spectators are very welcome to what promises to be an exciting game and admission is free.

Scoring
Tries: Danny Stonehouse, Jamie Fricker, Jonathan Unwin
Conversions: Michael Dobson (2)
Penalties:

Team List:
1. James Ephgrave
2. Mark Bowering
3. Danny Stonehouse (Sub Danny FitzGerald)
4. Jonathan Unwin
5. Kerry Palmer (Sub Paul Eynon)
6. Shaun Roberts (Captain)
7. Josh Drake
8. Kain Claridge
9. Rhys Powell
10. Michael Dobson
11. Chris Webb (Sub )
12. Wayne Heapy
13. Jamie Fricker (Sub Oliver Ellsworth)
14. Rob Mackie
15. Frances Brown