Harlow U14 15 Basildon 15

By club reporter

THIS was a very tight game. We have not played Basildon since the minis so they were an unknown to us but saying that they were not sure about us ever. We only had 15 players at the start of the game with one of our players turning up just before half time. This due to car trouble. We had a bit of a walk to the pitch. We walked out of the club car park. Turn right then left. Passed the tracker factory. Over a dual carriageway and then through a hedge and onto the pitch. That was the warm up done.

We had 3 players missing due to Essex DDP and two no shows along with one unable to come and two on long term injuries (Connor Foord and Cameron Howard) but this is not in anyway an excuse to the final score. We had to make a few changes and everyone stepped up to the mark.

First Half

We kicked off and was able to recover the ball due to a great high kick from Connor Ingram. We made good ground and managed to pass with our backs getting involved. We got up to their 22 but then a knock on by us resulted in Basildon taking advantage and running back into our half. With some miss tackles by Harlow resulted in Basildon scoring under the posts. 5-0 after 2 mins. Harlow re-group under the post and instead of dropping their heads it was the opposite. They identified the problem and spoke about improving this situation. Basildon missed the conversation but to be fair there was a strong cross winds so it was going to made kicks unpredictable.

From the restart Basildon came back as us but this time Harlow’s tackles were crisp and sharpe. Harlow were soon on the score sheet with great interception from Connor Ingram. He saw Basildon lining up their backs and timed his interception perfectly. Running some 30m with good side steps resulting in scoring. Unfortunately we did not make the conversion. Put that down to that dame wind again. Basildon 5-5 Harlow. The next 10 to 15 mins was to and fro with a number of scrums. Today our scrums were strong and controlled. We won many against the head with great hooking from Ewin Taplin. Harlow from another won scrum against the head pushed Basildon back enabling Ben Smith to collect from the base of the scrum and run directly to the try line from approx 10m out to put Harlow ahead. Again the wind played its part in the conversation. Basildon 5-10 Harlow

Basildon came back at us and scored some 2 minutes later. This was again down to poor tackling. This time Basildon made the conversion 12-10. From the restart Harlow put the pressure straight back into Basildon with Will Keep cutting in and out of the backs resulting in scoring in the corner. 12-15. Basildon scored again with some good forward play by them. With quick hands the scored under the posts again. 17-15

Second Half

This was pretty much the same as the first with both teams probing each other. Eventually Basildon broke through and scored under the posts. 22-15. We had several chances ourselves but it was ever a knock on or bad pass resulted in a turn over. Some of our players were starting to run on empty. We had one last chance to even the score. Harlow was camped in Basildon’s 22. We won our scrum and passed the ball out to the backs. Some lovely quick passing resulting in Will Keep trying to catch the pass but the ball was just in front of him resulting in a knock on. We were only 2m from their try line. The ref called last play with a scrum to Basildon. We again won against the head with George Garner picking up from the back of the scrum and passing out to our backs but again it resulted in a knock on. Ref called time.

Such a close game. This was one of the best games we have played for some time. Everyone worked for each other and never gave up. Also thanks to Basildon for making it a good game.

I think it’s only right to mention the whole squad as recognition to their hard work today.

Leo Roach: ran the whole game with solid tackles and great scrum work.
Ewin Taplin: great hooking and getting stuck in
Peter Watt: never stopped tackling
Joel Holding: stepped up today. Made the difference. Well done Joel.
Loui McArdell: played 2nd row for the first time and loved it
George Garner: played the captains row today. Never stopped running or tackling
Will Keep: went back into his favourer position. And he made it his owe. Tackled everything that moved.
Alex Perry: never stopped running. Just like Will, Alex tackled everything that moved
Ben Smith: had a great game as scrum half. Was clever with his passing and running.
Connor Ingram: this is Connor’s second game since he has come back to the club. Brilliant game today. Is a perfect No:10
Jordan: not really played much this season but he stepped up today. Again well done
Edward Obeney: arrived late due to car trouble but made his presents know in the second half
Owen Hunt: played on the wing. Never gave up. Always looking for the ball
Ashley Barbrook: had a great time on the wing. Go stuck in and made some brilliant tackles
Logan Thornwood: first full game. Played his part. Well done Logan
Sam Collins: played as our full back. Despite not really playing in this position he was impressive.
Good side steps.