Date: Sun 20th Jan 2019

Time: 2:00pm

Match Report

Sunday 20th January – Harlow u13s 15 Upper Clapton u13s 15 – Friendly

Harlow welcomed local rivals Epping Upper Clapton to Latton Park in what promised to be a competitive fiery derby match and it certainly didn’t disappoint.

Both teams having improved dramatically since our last meeting went at it from the word go, however Epping were showing a greater appetite at the breakdown and as a result of this managed to gain a turnover in a ruck which was followed by good hands through the backs and the quick winger scored the try in the corner. 0-5.

EUC’s second try came shortly after as Harlow missed numerous opportunities to tackle the ball carrier and he scored their second try of the afternoon. 0-10. EUC with their confidence growing at the relentless ball possession stole the ball from a ruck in Harlow’s 22 and went over for to make the score 0-15 with quarter of an hour played.

How were Harlow going to react?? Roll over or roll up their sleeves and fight for this match?? To everyone in attendance joy it was the latter!!

Harlow had 10 minutes of constant possession and had worked their way into the oppositions 22 when EUP conceded yet another penalty for coming into the ruck from the side and as was the regularity of the offence the referee was forced to issue the team a warning that any repeat would result in a player being sent to the sin bin. From the resulting scrum Harlow ran a well-executed DSP move through the backs and Joe Court scored in the corner to begin the fight back.

Half Time 5-15

Harlow made numerous changes at half time but started the second half as they finished the first showing that this squad now has strength in depth and changes in personnel does not weaken the line up on the field. Now putting on a performance they are capable of, Harlow were both robust in defence and water tight at the breakdown and following a turnover at the ruck the ball was passed through the backs and again finished by Joe Court. 10-15 GAME ON!!

Despite the warnings, EUC continued to come into the ruck from the side one too many times for the referee and he was left with no option to send an EUC player to the sin bin for 5 minutes. Harlow now camped in EUC’s 22 recycled the ball well and after the forwards had taken the ball to within 2 yards of the try line the ball was passed out to the backs and finished by Tobie Westbrook to cap off a fantastic performance from him. 15-15!!!!

Harlow had shown great character to come from behind and earn a draw which was the least they deserved. Both Harlow’s President Alan Price, and former first team coach Fozzie Brown were full of praise for how well drilled our red men were and that praise was echoed by EUC’s coach.

Final Score 15-15.

Harlow Man of the Match: Tobie Wesbrook
Epping Upper Clapton Nominated Man of the Match: Montelle Levy
Tries: Joe Court (2), Tobie Westbrook
Referee: Geoff Hargreaves, Harlow

Team
1. Joseph Williams (Sub Felix Waugh), 2. Archie Goodger (Sub Callum Boyce), 3. Jacob Morgan (Sub Ed Lea)), 4. Danny Billington (Sub Charlie Jacques), 5. Brandon Jackson (Sub Corey Kelman), 8. Jamie Oliver, 9. Jack Rushworth. 10. Henry Stovell (Captain), 11. Joe Court, 12. Danny Billington, 13. Owen Eynon, 14. George Snowdon (Sub Montelle Levy), 15. Freddie Adams (Sub Callum Hewett)