Date: Sun 2nd Oct 2022

Time: 2:00pm

Match Report

Having trained on Thursday and Sunday to improve on the working points the boys were very ready and prepared to play their second league fixture of the season.

Harlow started early with a strong kick chase and quick rucking. Tolulupe Ajibabi took the first points of the game, crashing over from a pick and drive after a probing kick through by Joseph Pankhurst. Henry Stovell chased aggressively, caught the full back on the 5m and stole the ball setting up Tolu. 5-0 Harlow.

After the score the team were buoyed and Montelle Levy reacted quickly with a superb try down the wing after a great set of hands spread the play quickly before Montelle broke through and scored under the posts. Converted well by Joseph P 12-0.

The restart was unfortunately not collected well and after a few phases Wanstead managed to break our line and score an unconverted try. 12-5 Harlow.

It was definitely Harlow who built from this try though and Ben Ferrier would capitalise after another great kick from hands by Joseph P. Chased hard by both Jamie Oliver and Matt Macfarlane to pressure the Wanstead players over their line. Ben Ferrier would jackal a ruck in centre field after the resulting drop out kick. Steal, run, break the line and score under the posts. Clean ball at the rucks – a particular focus in training by the coaching team – meant that Jack Rushworth could spread play quickly. 17-5 Harlow.

Wanstead had some possession after the score and thanks to some big hits by Jamie Oliver and Ben Ferrier there were some penalties that allowed Harlow to relieve some pressure. Jamie Oliver’s big hits meant that Wanstead could not string together passages and this gave Harlow a chance to build some solid defence. Corey Kelman’s rucking and hard hits meant that the team could benefit from penalties from pressured possession for Wanstead. 17-5 Harlow.

In a swift counter attack Harlow scored again in the corner. Ben F made a big break through the centre, Henry carried through the Wanstead backline before being caught and offloading to Joseph P. A smart grubber kick through by Joseph P was collected and finished by Tobie Westbrook. Converted brilliantly from the touchline by Joseph P. 24-5 Harlow.

There was a brilliant passage of play after this also, a kick and chase by Montelle resulted in a good attack with fantastic hands by Felix Waugh who showed this many many times throughout the first half. 24-5 Harlow.

The Harlow lead continued due to great set piece play through solid throws into the lineout by Joseph Williams and fantastic scrummaging by players in the forwards, particularly Atakan Gudran and Ed Lea. One of these lineouts resulted in the final score of the half. Yes, it was really only the first half. A maul was formed on the 22 metre line from another pinpoint through from Joseph W to Corey, Ben Ferrier spun from the back and crashed over the whitewash for a converted try by Joseph P. 31-5 Harlow.

HALF TIME 31-5

After the break Harlow were hit by a spectacular personal effort by the Wanstead centre to make the score 31-10 to Harlow.

After the half time team talks the pressure was back on Harlow and with the subs bedding themselves into the game the team had to defend to not let their lead slip. Harlow banked yards through hard runs and pushed back Wanstead phase by phase. The Harlow backs camped inside the Wanstead 22. Harlow did not manage to add to their tally but did ensure that Wanstead did not eat away at their advantage. Harlow managed to push the ball down the field far enough that Tolu got within a phase of scoring again from the back of the scrum. He burst through, defenders hanging off of him, and offloaded to Matt Macfarlane who finished perfectly under pressure in the corner. 36-10 Harlow.

Harlow went through a spell where they made some mistakes due to being turned but swift clear outs by Daniel Woollard and Atakan meant that Jack could once again get quick and clean ball to once again go on the attack. Clearance kicks and solid breaks meant that Harlow once again were within 10m of the Wanstead line. Jack P got the ball from Rob Philpot at the bottom of a ruck and quickly cross field kicked to Montelle who finished smartly into the corner. Harlow then converted through Joseph P (once again from the touchline) 43-10 Harlow.

Wanstead pushed to keep their dignity and they tried really hard to pull the Harlow advantage back and succeeded near the end of the match, scoring another unconverted try. 43-15 Harlow.

It looked like scoring was finished for the match until Tolu picked up from the base of a scrum. On half way. And made a break down the touchline, the defenders unable to keep up with his power and pace late in the game. He touched down for his second try to make the final score 48-15 to Harlow.

FT 48-15

A fantastic game that meant that Harlow Colts are still unbeaten and ready to keep capitalising on their talents. Working hard to push their own abilities and learn how to improve still further.

Try Scorers:

Tolulupe Ajibabi (2)

Montelle Levy (2)

Ben Ferrier (2)

Tobie Westbrook (1)

Matt Macfarlane (1)

Conversions:

Joseph Pankhurst (4)