Harlow 1st XV 25 v 19 Romford & Gidea Park
Match Report
On a drizzly cold Cup Final day at Ilford Harlow quickly brought the game to life.
Within the first minute of the game centre Ross Stalley broke through the opposition backs and released full back Matthew Dodds into space to run in Harlow’s first try. With a successful conversion kick by Danny Smith Harlow established an early 7- 0 lead. The Romford pack started to pen back Harlow within their 22 metre line . A series of driving mauls pushed the Harlow pack backwards towards their try line. Unfortunately Harlow were penalised by the referee for illegally stopping the maul and Romford were awarded a penalty try leveling the score at 7 – 7 . The Harlow pack struggled to get clean ball to their fast back line as the Romford forwards sucked them in. Danny Smith did capitalise on Romford errors and kicked two penalties to give Harlow a 13 – 10 lead after 30 minutes. Just before half time number 8 Karl Roddel caught a defensive kick and released winger Scott Whitby to score Harlows second try making the score 18 – 7 at half time.
The start of the second Half saw The Romford pack driving Harlow back on their 5 metre line, then peeling off and scoring, bringing the score to 18 – 12.
The tables seemed to be turning in Romfords favour as No 8 Karl Roddel was yellow carded for not rolling away from a maul. With 14 men fly half Danny Smith created a great individual try by kicking through the Romford defence, collecting his kick to power over the line. With the conversion kick Harlow had one hand on the cup with the score at 25 – 12. Harlow were not there yet Romford were not giving up and after 70 minutes scored their third try reducing Harlows lead to 25 – 19.
The final 10 minutes saw Harlow defending their lead and at long last the referee blew the final whistle to confirm Harlow as Essex Intermediate Cup Final Winners.
Scorers
Tries: Matthew Dodds (1); Scott Whitby (1); Danny Smith (1)
Conversions: Danny Smith (2)
Penalties: Danny Smith (2)
Players
- Jack Christy
- Martin Mallia
- Adam Seeley
- Robert Treamer
- Ryan Clark
- Shaun Roberts (Captain)
- James Clark
- Karl Rodell
- Charlie Woodington
- Danny Smith
- Ryan McGlone
- Alfie Clark
- Ross Stalley
- Scott Whitby
- Matthew Dodds
- Chris Davies
- Scott Stalley
- Paul Prindiville
- Owen Blisset
- Simon Vanbeck
- Chay Clark
- Ben Seymour
Coaching Team
Graham Richards (Head)
Francis Brown
Tom Webb
Michael Weston
Physiotherapist
Brian King
Management
Steve Foreman
Ken Ellis
Wendy Ellis
Stuart Harris
