HARLOW hosted Epping Upper this Sunday on a sunny morning in their first friendly game of the season.

The game was split into four twenty-minute periods to allow for many changes and for players from
both sides to get plenty of game time as well as time in different positions.

The Harlow players are made up of mainly under 17s who have joined with the under 18s this
season. Together they have been working in pre-season to improve their skill set and fitness to add
to their passion and desire.

Although the result shows a big loss, this has highlighted key items to work on, none of which are
insurmountable. The coaching team and players are looking forward to how we can work together
to take this to the next level.

First quarter

Harlow started the game a little slow out of the blocks and tended to ‘honey pot’ to the ball leaving
space wider out.
When Harlow had the ball, we tended to present the ball awkwardly and without supporting players
to secure the ball.
This quarter highlighted that kick chase from the goal line and from kick off needs a little work to
ensure we are connected in our defensive line.
The first quarter ended 0-24 in Epping Upper Clapton’s favour.

Second quarter

In this quarter Harlow’s ball retention was giving Upper Clapton more opportunities to attack us on
turn over ball. They were too strong for us in our current guise, and we finished the quarter 0-50.
Half time 0-50
The team talk was focused on work rate and communication with a focus on structure in defence
and attack.

Third quarter
This was a much better quarter from Harlow. The structure in defence started to come in to play and
there was clearly a desire, known as the Harlow Dog, that kicked in as the Harlow Players defended
their try line with pride.
This defence not only kept Upper Clapton out, but it also caused Upper Clapton to make a number of
mistakes. From one of these mistakes the ball went loose in the centres for Arpad Fornod to pick up
the ball and sprint away from within the Harlow twenty-two evading the covering defence to touch
down at the other end of the pitch.
Harlow won this quarter 5-0. With the overall score now 5-50.

Fourth quarter
In the final quarter the Harlow players were tiring, Upper Clapton played some very nice rugby
scoring from cross field kicks, pick and go’s, they returned kicks attacking the space very well.

The final score being a good win for Epping Upper Clapton, but with plenty for Harlow to learn from
and so work on before our next outing and as we build through the season.

Final Score 5-81

Next week we face Billericay at home in our last friendly before our league season kicks off on 21st
September against Burnham on Crouch.