Harlow 17 Stowmarket 20

London & SE Div III NE

HARLOW were forced to field a changed team against Stowmarket on Saturday and despite coming back strongly in the final quarter they were unable to record a much needed win. The problem was not in this case injuries so much as the fact that several players were suffering from a virus which seems to be affecting a lot of people locally. The team they fielded involved several changes in both personnel and positions which never helps.

Only 4 minutes into the game Scott Whitby broke through Stowmarket’s back line and threw a pass to Ryan McGlone on the wing to give him a simple try from 5 metres out. Harlow were 5 points ahead. For the next 10 minutes Harlow kept Stowmarket in their 22 fighting to keep Harlow out. The Stowmarket defence succeeded in keeping Harlow at bay and after 15 minutes they managed to surprise Harlow; driving up the pitch and scoring a try to make the scores level.

From such a promising start Harlow allowed Stowmarket into the game. They struggled to contain them as they played up the slope, conceding a try on the 23rd minute which was converted to give the visitors a 12 – 5 lead. Just before half time Stowmarket scored their 3rd try giving them a 17 – 5 lead going in to the interval.

Harlow needed a strong start to the second half to have any chance of winning this game. Unfortunately they conceded a penalty after 10 minutes, which was kicked making g the score Harlow 5 Stowmarket 20. As the game progressed Harlow started to apply pressure with their pack in particular driving into the Stowmarket half. A yellow card for Stowmarket’s prop for punching gave them the advantage of an extra man for ten minutes.
Good work from Harlow’s forwards allowed prop Martin Cunningham to drive the ball over the line for a try which was converted by Danny Smith. A late try from new boy Scott Stalley came too late to avoid a defeat for Harlow and the game finished with a win for the visitors by 20 points to 17.

On Saturday Harlow are away to bottom of table Beccles, a game that they would normally expect to win. However with a long journey which always puts the away side at a disadvantage they will be very much dependent on player availability.