HARLOW Colts travelled to Burnham-on-Crouch this Sunday for our first league game of the season. The

weather was predicted to be a little wet but turned into a pleasant sunny Sunday reports Harlow Rugby Club.

Having played a couple of friendlies against higher league opposition, we now faced a team in a

similar position to us. Back to playing 35 min halves instead of 4 x 20 mins sessions we continue to

rotate our players throughout the game.

Having played two warm-up games against division 1 and 2 sides in the last couple of weeks, we now

took on Burnham on Crouch who are at the same level as us in our first division 3 league game next

week.

First half

Harlow started the game well, getting into the Burnham twenty-two from some strong

scrummaging, which was to be a theme for the match. The Harlow scrummage looked strong all

game and often pushed Burnham off the ball.

Following a strong start Burnham were able to respond well. Harlow’s ill-discipline, particularly in

retreating to get onside was a thorn in Harlow’s side.

From a tap penalty, Burnham were able to move the ball wide to get outside the Harlow defence

and score. Burnham repeated this a second time to give them a 10-0 lead.

Burnham were conceding penalties as well. From one of these penalties Alfie Trant kicked well to

the corner. Although the line out missed it’s intended target, Jake Marshall cleaned it up and fed

Mason who spread the ball to Alfie Davidson who then rounded his opposite number to touch down.

10-5.

Burnham responded with some grunt moving up the pitch. Harlow offended at the breakdown. From

the resulting penalty, Burnham repeated the type of play they had scored their first tries from

moving the ball to out stripe the Harlow Defence and touch down. 15-5.

Half time 15-5

The team talk was focused on, ball retention at the break down and work rate to get into position to

support your teammates.

Second Half

Harlow began the second half well, pushing play back to Burnham. The discipline in defence caused

Harlow some problems and we were clearly frustrating the referee. From a penalty, Burnham were

able to move it wide and score. This time the conversion was successful. 22-5. The Harlow defence

will need to learn to speed up their reactions when penalties are awarded.

Harlow’s efforts and work rate was to be rewarded. Alfie Trant once more kicked well to the corner.

From the resulting lineout, a good catch and drive, Freddie Brown broke down the blind slide falling

just short of the line. From the resulting break down Sam Cox picked and dived for the line, score is

first try, not just his first try this year, his first try ever! The howls of delight at probably still

reverberating around the Crouch estuary.

As the game closed out Harlow had picked up a few injuries. Burnham were gracious to lend us a
player to keep the game at 15 a side. Burnham scored two more tries in this period to round of the
game 32-10.

Final Score 32-10