Date: Sat 24th Sep 2016

Time: 3pm

Match Report

Whitby hatrick puts Harlow back on track

Playing up the hill in the first half, Harlow were immediately on the front foot. After two minutes good work at the breakdown forced a penalty 30 yards out and just to the left of the posts. Unfortunately, Danny Smith’s attempt at goal slid just by the upright.

The next ten minutes were far from fluent with both teams struggling to stamp their authority on the match.

It was Harlow that settle first, working through the phases before moving the ball along the backs to Whitby. The right wing still had work do, handing off his opposite number before touching down in the corner.

Ely responded well, immediately putting pressure on the Harlow back three. Some simple mistakes allowed the away team good field position before they won a penalty and kicked 3 points.
Ely continued to exert pressure on the Harlow defence. A series of pick and drives close to the line resulted in the visitors first try. It was converted to make the score 10-5.

Harlow gradually worked their way back into the half and scored another two well worked tried before the interval. Both tries saw backs and forwards working well together before putting Whitby into space for simple finishes.

Half time, 17-10 to Harlow.

Harlow started the second half strong, immediately secure good field position. Excellent work by the forwards and Danny Smith to keep the ball alive set a platform for the backs, before Rob Mackie scored near the posts.

24-10.

At the end of the third quarter Harlow again spread the ball wide, this time to McClone. The winger cut in from the left to beat a number of defenders. The ball was recycled quickly and moved to Danny Smith who passed back inside to Ross Stalley to score Harlow’s fifth try.

However, Ely weren’t finished and managed to work their way up the pitch through indiscipline from Harlow, eventually working the blindside to score their final points of the match.

Harlow put the game to bed with less than 10 minutes to go when Michael Weston, playing his first game for the club in a number of years, breaking a number of tackles to score.

Final score 36-15.

Tries: Scott Whitby (3), Rob Mackie, Michael Weston
Conversions: Danny Smith (2)
Penalties: Danny Smith (2)
Drop goals:

Team list:
1. Cunningham 2. Bowering 3. Ephgrave 4. Twiner 5. Stevenson 6. Roberts 7. Heapy 8. Claridge 9. Woodington 10. Smith 11. Whitby 12. Stalley R. 13. Tarsey
14. Mcglone 15. Mackie 16. Weston 17. Grimley 18. Christie

Match Gallery Harlow I XV vs Ely 2016