Date: Sun 27th Oct 2019

Time: 11:00am

Match Report

Sunday 27th October – Enfield Ignations u14s 5 Harlow u14s 34 – Friendly

Harlow travelled to Enfield Ignations with a number of players not available due to DPP, half term or injury which gave the opportunity for many players to spend longer on the pitch than in other weeks and for Liam Kiff to make his Harlow debut.

Harlow started well a little slowly with Enfield breaking right from a scrum and piling over in the corner for an unconverted try. It turned out to be the only try from Enfield of the morning because what we were about to witness came from a team committed to each other and looking to make their mark on the match!

Harlow’s first try came from a scrum, our scrum had been under pressure early on but the team had successfully adjusted and turned the tables. Jack Rushworth broke right and played Tolu Ajibabi who went on a menacing run from the half way line to score.

Harlow were now building the pressure on Enfield by not giving them any time on the ball, the pressure pushed them back and they gave away penalties. Ed Lea carried well, then Felix Waugh went close before Jack Rushworth touched down.

This pressure continued, from an Enfield line out Harlow drove Enfield back where they conceded a penalty. From the penalty Jack Rushworth played Brandon Jackson to crash over.

From the kick off, Enfield kicked to Harlow Captain Danny Billington, who was a man on a mission today. Danny steamed back into them storming down the pitch blitzing their defence. A quick ruck and the ball into Tolu Ajibabi’s hands and Harlow have their fourth try! Tobie Westbrook added the conversion to take us to half time.

Half time 5 – 22.

At half time, the players identified two areas to improve, the close in defence around the breakdown and then using the ball to go wide. Liam Kiff came off the bench to make his debut.

With the request to provide more of the same and to keep up the phenomenal work rate, Harlow showed no sign of tiring! Every time Enfield had the ball no matter where they were on the pitch Harlow chopped them down or drove them back. Great tackles close to the try line from Jack Rushworth and Owen Eynon created scoring opportunities for Harlow. It really is difficult to put into words how much pressure Harlow applied, how hard the players worked and some of the skill we saw on the ball, one out wide Freddie Adams out the back to Montelle Levy and again in reverse. The pressure the team put on Enfield created a loose ball which Danny Billington pounced on and bashed his way over under the posts. Tobie Westbrook converted.

Harlow were out on the pitch enjoying themselves, trying to make things happen, most of the time it worked, sometimes it didn’t but the courage and ambition shown was awesome to watch. From one play the draw and give across the back line was brilliant to see. This put George Snowdon into space who stepped inside bashed and boshed a bit before he crossed the line.

In this period Harlow were expressing themselves and showing their support for each other.

As Enfield were under pressure they kicked deep, Owen Eynon was back to collect the ball, he stepped one way to beat the first player and then the other way to beat another. He then popped the ball to second row Brandon Jackson to trot down the pitch. With a sudden rush of blood to the head, Brandon attempted a kick, hands and feet weren’t talking to each other and the ball rolled forward. The team decided this humorous effort deserved the Donkey of the Match award.

What a game from a great group of players and a real privilege to watch. Roll on next week!

Final Score 5 – 34.

In training let’s work on having fun, it appears to be working. We build this week for a big game against Rochford next Sunday.

Special mentions: Debutant Liam Kiff. Freddie and George getting stuck in on the wing and all other players awesome team performance.

Harlow Man of the Match: Danny Billington (Chosen by the Harlow players)
Tries: Tolu Ajibabi (2), Jack Rushworth, Brandon Jackson, Danny Billington, George Snowdon
Conversions: Tobie Westbrook (2)
Penalties: None
Referee: From Enfield

Starting Team
1. Felix Waugh, 2. Charlie Jacques, 3. Jacob Morgan (Sub Liam Kiff), 4. Ed Lea, 5. Brandon Jackson, 6. Joseph Williams, 7. James Ford, 8. Danny Billington, 9. Jack Rushworth, 10. Tobie Westbrook, 11. Freddie Adams, 12. Tolu Ajibabi, 13. Owen Eynon, 14. George Snowdon, 15. Montelle Levy

All players played half a game or more.