Harlow U15’s V Clacton cup match report.

By Pete Almond of Harlow Rugby Club

TODAY saw our U15’s go against Clacton for our cup clash. This is a team we haven’t played before so we were going into the unknown.

Respect was given from both sides in the form of one minutes silence for our fallen heroes.

It was clear from the start we was up against much larger, physically stronger opponents.

Our boys have had a run of heavy defeats lately but in true Redmen style, they took to the field with confidence and an upbeat attitude.

Kickoff. Clacton took it to us from the start with their large forwards making their presence very clear. Punching through our defence with seeming ease and going over for the first try only minutes into the game. Unconverted.

0-5.

Time to dig in before this game gets away from us. And dig in they did!

We now knew their game plan. Give it to the big guys. We needed to step it up with the tackling and our brave boys did just that.

Putting their bodies on the line and stopping them in their tracks, our boys started to make headway and with some slick hands along the line we found ourselves deep in Clacton’s half.

With some great rucking and a powerful run from Alfie Stevens going over to open Harlow’s account. Unconverted.
5-5.

The game ebbed and flowed for the rest of the half with huge hits coming from both sides. This was turning into a real battle.

Clacton went ahead with another unconverted try. 5-10.

With some good forward work in our own half, the ball came wide to centre Alfie Wilkinson who took off with a strong half pitch run, shrugging off tackle attempts to run the ball in under the posts. This time converted by fullback Kelly Hynes.
HT 12-10

The second half started with the same ferocity as the first with no side willing to back down.

The runs were powerful and the hits were getting harder from both sides. It was becoming clear there was no route through their big forwards so running the ball around them was our only option.

So with more great work from our forwards, Thomas Sandles (scrum half)

Set about spreading the ball wide. We were getting success. Our boys were moving the ball around with confidence and safe hands.

Frustration was setting in which prompted penalties from both sides, one of which was awarded to Harlow in Clacton’s half. Quick thinking Thomas saw a gap. With a quick tap and go he was off with with one thought in his mind. Going over for his first try of the season.

Converted 19-10.

Finding himself in space and seeing a gap Thomas once again took off on a lightning breakaway run only to be brought down 5 meters from Clacton’s line but with great support work the ball was gathered in by fly half Max Wilson who finished off with a try under the posts.

Converted 26-10

Clacton gathered themselves and took the game back to us which resulted in an unconverted try 26-15.
Tiredness was setting in which resulted in Clacton having a lapse of concentration and giving a penalty away close to their own try line. Once again quick thinking Thomas saw the opportunity with another quick tap & go catching everyone off guard to run it in under the posts.

Converted 33-15
Harlow persisted with the plan of spreading the ball wide which resulted in Alfie Wilkinson being put into space for him to run in his second try of the game.
Unconverted.

FT 38-15.

Try scorers :
Alfie Stevens
Max Wilson
Alfie Wilkinson x2
Thomas Sandles x2

Conversions:

Kelly Hynes x4

Congratulations to:
Thomas Sandles (Back of the match)
Samuel Cox (Forward of the match)

Well done to every player on the pitch today. You all done yourselves and your club proud.