Mavericks 14 v 31 Harlow

ON a misty dank day Harlow travelled to Warley to take on Mavericks, a newly promoted team. If they thought that recent results would make for an easy game they were soon brought back to earth when the opposition ran from ko to force a penalty in Harlow’s 22 which they duly converted.

After 11 mins. of play however we saw the strength of Harlow’s counter attack when Jake Hobbs ran from deep within his own half to put Danny Stephens over for a try which Rik Hobbs converted to take the score to 3-7.

Mavericks fought back with some powerful running and were rewarded with another penalty which brought the score back to 6-7. After 29 mins. a series of Harlow fumbles saw the home team pounce on the loose ball and score a well deserved try to take the score to 11-7,
Despite the slope being in Mavericks favour Harlow were determined to go into the second half with a lead and a well worked try with strong running from Dan Bolt and Dan Stephenson resulted in Joel Drake scoring a fine try which Hobbs converted. A narrow lead but Mavericks managed another penalty to divide the spoils 14-14 at half time.

Eight mins into the second half some sharp thinking resulted in Chay Clarke scoring to take the score to 14-19. Harlow’s dominance in the scrum was beginning to tell and from a scrum close to Mavericks line Jack Christie scored a great forwards try to take the score to 14-24.

Despite their dominance in the scrums Harlow seemed unable to satisfy the referee and were constantly penalised, which had the result of slowing the game down and keeping the score board from ticking over in the visitors favour. In the last quarter of the game Mavericks had to elect to go to uncontested scrums since they had no more front row forwards available. Although this took one of Harlow’s main attacking planks away they were still able to drive Ryan Clarke over the line for a try which Hobbs converted to get the final score to 14-31.

Harlow can be satisfied with this away win and bonus point but will need to up their game when they meet Campions and league leaders Upminster in the coming weeks if they are to contest the table.

It looks as if they will be without lock Ian Rundall for these vital games due to an injury in the last quarter.