Date: Sat 9th Dec 2017
Time: 3.00pm
Match Report
On a cold December afternoon Harlow started slowly and Ipswich took advantage in the first few minutes by scoring the first try, with the conversion 0-7.
Harlow replied quickly with a dancing run by fly half Danny Smith for Harlow’s first try. With a powerful driving maul from Harlow’s pack allowed second row Karl Roddel to score try number 2 for Harlow after 12 minutes. Fly Half Danny Smith converted for a 12-7 lead to Harlow.
A lack of discipline by Ipswich saw 2 of their players yellow carded . Hooker Tyler Howard took advantage by crashing over the line on the right wing making the score 17-7.
With their 2 players returning on to the park Ipswich scored in the last play in the first half making the score 17 – 14 at half time.
Harlow took the game to Ipswich in the second half playing expansive rugby trying to stretch the Ipswich defence. Ten minutes into the half saw man of the match Tyler Howard scoring his second try for Harlow. An important score because it secured the bonus point for four tries. A late penalty for Ipswich made the final score 22 – 17…
Tries: Danny Smith, Karl Roddel, Tyler Howard(2).
Conversion: Danny Smith
Team: 1. Mark Bowering, 2. Howard Tyler, Jack Christie, 4.Karl Rodell, 5. Robert Treamer, 6. Shaun Roberts (Capt), 7. James Clark, 8. Michael Weston, 9. Chay Clark, 10. Danny Smith, 11. Joel Drake, 12. Ross Stalley, 13, Rhys Whitby, 14. Dale Stalley 15. Scott Whitby., 16. Derry Joyce, 17. Adam Seeley, 18. Simon Vanbeck. (All replacements used.
This match concludes the first half of the season and from next week onwards teams will be playing their return fixtures. Harlow are in 5th place in the 12 club league and can be pleased with this given that they won promotion at the end of last season.
Harlow stats are:
P 11 W 7 D 1 L 3 PF 351 PA 381 Diff -30 Pts 37
Rochford who are undefeated lead the table on 55 points and Wanstead are second with 50 points. To challenge either of them Harlow will have to lift their game considerably. However Norwich on 38 points are third largely as a result of bonus points and are a realistic target. Third placed Sudbury on 44 points are playing strongly but represent a challenge Harlow should aim for. If Harlow can finish the season with a place in the top three it would put down a clear marker of their intention to seek further promotion.
