IN many many years time, the players and coaches at Harlow Rugby Club may be asked “Did you ever play at Twickenham? Imagine the answer being “Yes”.

That may not be a lot of compensation to the team that lost 34-7 in the final of the Counties One Final of Papa Johns Trophy to Old Alleynians but that hurt will fade and the memories of a wonderful day will remain.

And they are all heroes to the families, friends and fans who travelled to the home of rugby in their hundreds to say “I was there”.

Our film below followed the team from Latton Park to Twickenham and home again.

Perhaps the most touching moment was the reception the team received when they got back to Latton Park.

This is what sport and community is all about.

It is also worth mentioning the letters of support that the club received from vanquished semi finalists, Cockermouth and victors Old Alleynians. Class. Pure class.

As for the match, although both teams play at the same level, there was really only one team in it.

Whilst OA showed flair, imagination and positivity in the first half, Harlow never really got going. There was a lot of unforced errors in that first half. But then again, a good team can make you look bad.

However, Harlow battled back in the second half and when Harlow scored to make it 20-7, there was a hint of a comeback. Sadly, it was quickly snuffed out.

The only compensation would be that Head Coach Mike Weston and his staff will probably have learned more by this defeat than if they had won.

We think they will go away for the next few months and think about what their team needs to do to flourish in the new division.

The whole match can be found below from the four hour mark.