Date: Sun 13th Mar 2022

Time: 1.30pm

Match Report

1st game: Harlow u16s 33 Dagenham u16s 0

2nd game: Harlow 16s 35 Dagenham u16s 0

We were due to play Burnham on Crouch unfortunately their team has folded, we picked up Dagenham on the Essex exchange. We haven’t played Dagenham for a number of years; this fixture was designed as a development game allowing Dagenham to gain useful gain time and gave Harlow a chance to try some different options.

The day started bright and the weather was dry for the first half ….. the rain came down from half time but that didn’t stop the tries from flowing.

The first half began with a number of inaccuracies at the break down and knock ons from the Harlow players. Fortunately, the Harlow scrum was strong so no matter the put in Harlow seemed to regain possession and keep the pressure on in the Dagenham half. The Harlow scrum provided the source of all the tries in the first game.

Harlow found a breakthrough from a scrum against the head Jack Rushworth hit Owen Eynon on the crash who stepped wormed and stretched for the line. Joseph Pankhurst converted. 7-0

The next Harlow try also came from a scrum, Harlow moved it wide where Tobie Westbrook made a good break and offloaded inside to Henry Stovell who stepped inside and opened up to score his first of the afternoon. Joseph Pankhurst converted. 14-0.

This time the Harlow forwards one the ball against the head on the right of the pitch. Tolu Ajibabi picked up and ran left into the space and raced to the line. 19-0.

Mid-way we made changes in the front row to keep us fresh Felix Waugh on for Joseph Williams, Atakan Alagoz for Gabe Greaves.

Replay for the next try only this time with different props and it was a Harlow put in Tolu Ajibabi picked up and ran right to the line. Converted by Joseph Pankhurst. 26-0.

From an opposition scrum, the ball went loose with Matt Macfarlane getting onto it first and breaking away. He offloaded to Kai Young to touch down. Joseph Pankhurst converted 33-0.

A note on Dagenham in the first half, their pick and go game from the break down was causing Harlow some problems and will need to be a focus in training this week.

1st game 33-0.

The half time team talk reflected we need to tidy up our break down and be more accurate with our passing. Then the players wanted to get on with the game

Half time replacements included Brandon Jackson on for, Ed Lea, Corey Kelman for Alfie Dutnall on debut Jamiyu Yussif (Jams) for Freddie Adams, Ben Ferrier for Tolu Ajibabi and Montelle Levy on for Jack Rushworth.

The second game began with Harlow looking to score tries.

Matt Macfarlane had been determined to score today and had been called back a number of times in the first half. His time came early in the second game when Ben Ferrier broke supported by Danny Billington and then Matt was on his shoulder in support to take the pass and score his first try. 7-0.

Matt scored the next try as well. From a mess of a line out Matt Macfarlane intercepted and made his way at pace and uncontested to the line. Joseph Pankhurst converted 14-0.

Mid-way we made changes in the front row to keep us fresh Joseph Williams on for Felix Waugh, Gabe Greaves for Atakan Alagoz.

At this point my notes page was getting soggy and my notes are a little illegible. What they did capture is that the backs moved the ball to the right and Henry Stovell touched down for his second of the game. Joseph Pankhurst converted 21-0.

Alfie Dutnall replaced Matt Macfarlane. Jack Rushworth returned to the field with Montelle Levy moving to outside centre and Henry Stovell moving to fly half and replacing Joseph Pankhurst.

Next up a determined Ben Ferrier broke through tearing away from defenders who dared come close and then touch down near the posts. Joseph Pankhurst converted. 28-0

The final try of the day came from captain Henry Stovell completing his hat trick as the backs moved the ball from left to right, having scored two tries this season getting a hat trick in one game! Tobie Westbook converted. 35-0.

Special mentions today for Jams on debut and being awarded his club tie in the clubhouse after the game. Matt Macfarlane for his desire to score a try today which came through (rumour has it, Charlie Jacques made a bet with him he wouldn’t score and is now £10 lighter.)

Second game 35 – 0

Lessons we learn from the game, we need to be more accurate, play the possession game and use our process. The space will come.

Next week we play Rochford in our final waterfall cup game of the season. The following week is Chelmsford aware for our final league game of the season.

 

Tries: Owen Eynon, Henry Stovell (3), Tolu Ajibabi (2), Kai Young, Matt Macfarlane (2), Ben Ferrier

Conversions: Joseph Pankhurst (8), Tobie Westbrook

Penalties: Not this week

Referee: Francis Brown from Harlow

Team

1. Joseph Williams, 2. Danny Billington, 3. Gabe Greaves, 4. Ed Lea, 5. Freddie Adams, 6. Alfie Dutnall, 7. Matt Macfarlane, 8. Tolu Ajibabi, 9. Jack Rushworth, 10. Joseph Pankhurst, 11. Jacob Heald, 12. Owen Eynon, 13. Henry Stovell, 14. Kai Young, 15. Tobie Westbrook.

16. Felix Waugh, 17. Atakan Alqgoz, 18. Brandon Jackson, 19. Jamiyu Yussif, 20. Corey Kelman, 21. Ben Ferrier, 22. Montelle Levy