Date: Sun 3rd Nov 2019

Time: 11:30am

Match Report

Sunday 3rd November – Harlow u14s 46 Rochford u14s 19: Friendly

Latton Park hosted Rochford under 14s this Sunday on a bright sunny morning. Harlow were able to put the disappointment of the England world cup behind them and put together a great game of rugby of their own, showing great scrummaging and passing skills.

Harlow started well and were quickly on the attack applying pressure and earned a line out in the Rochford half. A good line out saw the back line on the offensive and quick precise hands put Montelle Levy in a fraction of a space where he worked his magic, stepping infield to score under the posts. The try was converted by Joseph Pankhurst.

From the kick off Ben Ferrier picked up the ball stepped and sprinted down the left wing to outpace the defence and score under the posts. Henry Stovell converted the try to take us to an early 14-0 lead.

Attacking from line outs is something we seem to be keen on with a number of options now available. Our first try from a line out came as our number eight Ben Ferrier broke from the back of the line out to force his way over the line. Joseph Pankhurst slotted his second conversion of the match.

The next try also came from a line out and recent skill we have been working on in training. The line out was driven and the forwards worked a pick and go down the blind side leaching onto each other and Ed Lea, just on the park for Brandon Jackson crossed the line for his first try of the season. A great forwards team try scored out wide.

The last try of the half came from a line out again, the ball was moved across the back line with good carries from Henry Stovell, George Snowdon and Ben Ferrier, the support was excellent and Jamie Oliver was on the end of the final pass to score once more out wide.

Half time 31 – 0.

At half time, the players were comfortable with the way they were playing, noting to tackle lower and to work harder in support.

We welcomed Max Bien to the squad as he made his Harlow debut coming onto the field of play for the second half along with Freddie Adams and Charlie Jacques.

Our scrum had been dominant in the first half winning many balls against the head and this continued in the second half with the excellent body position pushing the larger Rochford pack. Rochford offended in their attempts to keep the ball which gave Harlow a penalty. From the quick penalty taken by scrum half Jack Rushworth, quick hands across Joseph Pankhurst, Owen Eynon to Henry Stovell gave Henry the space for our captain to get on the score sheet.

Rochford were finding their way in the game and scored a try of their own collecting a kick and returning it to us with interest. They converted to take the score to 36-7.

Harlow were quickly back on the attack but fumbled the ball close to the opposition line. Rochford put in at the scrum was overturned by the Harlow pack. Ben Ferrier picked up and bashed over the line to complete his hat trick.

Harlow’s final try came from a move we don’t normally expect from under 14s. Man of the Match Joseph Pankhurst through a massive miss two pass from fly half to the on rushing full back Tobie Westbrook. Tobie broke the line only to be caught just short of the line. Support had been key all game and this time James Forde was on hand to score his debut Harlow try.

In the dying embers of the game Rochford were on the attack keen to salvage some points from the game. They scored first breaking wide to score a converted try under the posts. Their final try came from a penalty which they pushed the ball wide to score. The conversion was missed and the final whistle blew.

Another week and another cracking game from this great groups of players, once more a privilege to watch their development. Roll on Chelmsford next week!

Final Score 46 – 19.

In training let’s work on having more and more fun, it appears to be working. We build this week for another big game away against Chelmsford next Sunday.

Special mentions: Fantastic team effort today, keep working for each other and the performances will get better and better.

Harlow Man of the Match: Joseph Pankhurst (Chosen by the Harlow players)
Tries: Montelle Levy, Ben Ferrier (3), Ed Lea, Jamie Oliver, Henry Stovell, James Ford
Conversions: Joseph Pankhurst (2), Henry Stovell
Penalties: None
Referee: Tony Hills (From Harlow)

Starting Team
1. Felix Waugh, 2. Archie Goodger (Sub Charlie Jacques), 3. Joseph Williams (Sub Max Bien), 4. Brandon Jackson (Sub Ed Lea), 5. Danny Billington, 6. Jamie Oliver, 7. James Ford (Sub Freddie Adams), 8. Ben Ferrier, 9. Jack Rushworth, 10. Joseph Pankhurst, 11. Montelle Levy, 12. Owen Eynon, 13. Henry Stovell, 14. George Snowdon, 15. Tobie Westbrook

All players played half a game or more.