London & SE Div III NE

Harlow needed to bounce back after last weeks disappointing defeat to Old Cooperians. They started positively, playing down the slope taking the game to May & Baker. Strong scrummaging by Harlow forwards gave the backs space to run at the visitors back line. For the first 15 minutes Harlow could not make this pressure tell with points. M & B had a chance to take the lead after 16mins, but missed a kickable penalty. After 30mins Scott Whitby made a darting run on the right wing shrugging off a couple of tackles and feeding the ball to a speedy supporting Fricker. He found No. 8 Clarridge to take the ball under the posts. With Smith converting Harlow were ahead by 7 points to nil.

Six minutes later Clarridge scored his second try to put Harlow firmly in control with the conversion taking it to 14 – 0. Harlow were soon back on the attach and forced a penalty inside the 22. The May & Baker No.7 kicked the ball away to prevent Harlow taking a quick penalty, earning himself a yellow card. Scott Whitby took advantage of the extra man by breaking through the centre and passing to winger Ryan McGlone to score in the corner giving Harlow a healthy lead at half time of 19 – 0.

In the second half Harlow concede a quick converted try and then a penalty in the first 15 minutes, Bringing M & B back into the game with the score at 19 – 10. What followed is a period of cut and thrust rugby with Harlow realising then the very difficult surface and playing up the slope made things much more difficult.

On 70 minutes Smith slotted a penalty for Harlow extending their lead to 12 points. May & Baker came back again by sucking in Harlow’s backs to the centre of the park and then throwing the ball out wide scoring another try. With the conversion they were within 5 points of Harlow; Harlow 22 M & B 17.

With 5 minutes to go Harlow were awarded a kickable penalty but decide to run the ball. Unfortunately, unable to break over the M&B line, they were left to face a tense last 4 minutes. Harlow raised their game and held out for the win, final score Harlow 22 May & Baker 17

This Saturday Harlow are away to league leaders Upper Clapton. A hard contest is expected and a lot will depend on player availability and recovery from injury. Both sides have lot running on this game. A win for Harlow would keep them in the block of four clubs challenging for promotion. A win for Clapton would allow them to extend their gap at the top of the table and boost their title chances.

Other league results this weekend:
Beccles 17 – 29 Stowmarket
Upminster 9 – 15 Southwold
Wanstead 18 – 22 Old Cooperians
West Norfolk 3 – 34 Epping Upper Clapton

Take a look at the league table here

Tries: Kain Claridge (2), Ryan McGlone
Conversions: Danny Smith (2)
Penalties: Danny Smith

Team list:
1. James Ephgrave
2. Martin Cunningham
3. Danny Fitzgerald
4. Mark Twiner
5. Kerry Palmer
6. Mark Bowering
7. Charlie Robinson
8. Kain Clarridge
9. Charlie Woodington
10. Danny Smith
11. Ryan McGlone
12. Wayne Heapy
13. Jamie Fricker
14. Scott Whitby
15. Ross Stalley
16. Josh Drake
17. James Clark
18. George Raynes