Date: Sun 2nd Feb 2020

Time: 11:30am

Match Report

Sunday 2nd February – Harlow u14s 40 Hertford u14s 12: Friendly

Today we hosted Hertford on a moist winter morning. We were due to play Rochford but unfortunately they were double booked and we are very grateful to Hertford for stepping in this week. With a local game arranged at the last minute and having had a week off last week we were looking forward to a great game of rugby and we weren’t disappointed.

From the off Harlow where up for this game and the work rate was high right across the team. It produced an almost flawless first half.

Harlow were crashing it up rucking and recycling the ball from within their own 22 working up the pitch. This excellent play put Ben Ferrier in some space, not much, but he doesn’t need much to sprint away and score under the posts. Our first try was converted by Joseph Pankhurst and we took a 7-0 lead.

Hertford were trying to play, but the pressure forced them to kick straight to Tobie Westbrook who jinked into space, off loaded to Tolu Ajibabi who with a head of steam headed direct to the posts to score which allowed Tobie to slot the conversion and take us to 14-0.

There was some excellent off load and support in our next try as Harlow were working hard together. Both forwards and backs were carrying the ball and in this phase of play James Ford took a game, off loaded behind the defence to Henry Stovell who ate up the space and scored under the posts. Joseph Pankhurst converted 21-0.

Our fourth try came from build-up play in our own half. Again many in the team carrying the ball hard and securing it to find Ben Ferrier in space to score his second. Converted By Tobie Westbrook for a 28-0 lead.

Our final try of the game came from tight off loads from Jamie Oliver and Ben Ferrier to Henry Stovell who scored out wide taking the score to 33-0 at half time.

Half time 33 – 0.

At half time the players talked about keeping up the work rate and more of the same in the way we were playing.

The second half continued much the way of the first, the penalty count was mounting against Hertford and Harlow continued to crash away at the line. Jamie Oliver crossed the line and Tobie Westbrook slotted the conversion. 40-0.

Much of the second half from now on was cut and thrust as Herford kept pushing to get a try. From a couple of Harlow mistakes at the break down they scored two tries one of which was converted. 40 – 12

Harlow found a new level today, referee Geoff Hargreaves praised the boys at the end of the game saying it was a privilege to referee them today, and he would pay good money to watch them play.

Final Score 40 – 12.

In training this week, we need to continue to work on work rate so that our levels don’t drop as we take on our scrummaging under pressure and receiving kick offs.

Special mentions: The front row who dominated the scrum all day. Ed Lea for his enormous jackal count. The back row for their excellent support and link play, our back line for putting Hertford under great pressure.
Harlow Forward of the Match: Ben Ferrier (Chosen by Hertford)
Harlow Back of the Match: Henry Stovell (Chosen by Hertford)
Tries: Ben Ferrier (2), Tolu Ajibabi, Henry Stovell (2), Jamie Oliver
Conversions: Joseph Pankhurst (2), Tobie Westbrook (3)
Penalties: None
Referee: Geoff Hargreaves from Harlow

Team
1. Felix Waugh (Sub Max Bien), 2. Callum Boyce, 3. Joseph Williams (Sub Jacob Morgan), 4. Brandon Jackson (Sub Corey Kelman), 5. Ed Lea, 6. James Ford, 7. Jamie Oliver, 8. Ben Ferrier, 9. Jack Rushworth, 10. Joseph Pankhurst, 11. Joe Court, 12 Tolu Ajibabi, 13. Henry Stovell, 14. George Snowdon, 15. Tobie Westbrook,

All players played half a game or more.