Date: Sat 30th Sep 2017

Time: 3.00pm

Match Report

Both teams set off to play fast expansive rugby. A great attacking kick off from Harlow saw Norwich conceding a penalty, which Fly Half  Smith slotted over the posts; Harlow 3. Norwich.  0

After 6 minutes Norwich placed a kick into Harlow s half.  Hesitation and a handling error rewarded Norwich with their first try; Harlow 3. Norwich 5.

After 15 minutes poor defence allowed the Norwich full back to burst through the back line to score their second try. They converted for Harlow 3 Norwich 12.

Smith pulled Harlow back into the game with his second penalty making it Harlow 6 Norwich 12.

On 25 minutes Harlow fullback McGlone went on an attacking run into the Norwich half and managed  to off-load a pass to the supporting  2nd row Adam Seeley to score Harlow s 1st try; Harlow 11  Norwich 12.  Harlow started to take control with Ross Stalley running over Harlow’s next try, converted for Harlow. 18 Norwich 12.

Harlow forwards finished the half strongly with Scott Stalley & Adam Seeley scoring tries from driving mauls, both converted by fly half Dan Smith.

This made the score Harlow 32  Norwich 12  at the turnaround.

Harlow may have thought they had won the game, but Norwich had other ideas. They came back strongly scoring 2 tries in 20 minutes. Making it first

Harlow 32.  Norwich 19 and then Harlow 32  Norwich. 26.

Harlow had their backs up against the wall with only 15 minutes remaining.

Michael Weston saved the day by muscling the ball from the Norwich forwards. Making a darting tun into the Norwich half setting up Ross Stalley for Harlow’s 5th try.

Norwich forwards fought back with a try. In the last minutes of the game. But Harlow held out for a final score of Harlow 37. Norwich  33. Team: 1. Scott Stalley, 2. Mark Bowering, Jack Christie, 4. Karl Rodell, 5. Adam Seeley, 6. Shaun Roberts, 7. James Clark, 8. Michael Weston, 9. Charlie Woodington, 10. Danny Smith, 11. Dale Stalley, 12. Ross Stalley, 13, Andrew Tarsey, 14. Scott Whitby. 15. Ryan McGlone, 16. Danny Stonehouse,  17. Robert Treamer, 18. James Fricker.

Tries: Adam Seeley (2), Scott Stalley, Ross Stalley (2)

Conversions: Danny Smith (3)

Penalties: Danny Smith (2)

Harlow can take some satisfaction from the start of their league campaign. After this game Norwich are still in third place in the league so even with home advantage the win is good. Saturday’s result leaves Harlow in fifth place in the 12 team league despite having faced the second, third, fourth and seventh sides. This Saturday they are away to bottom of the table Chelmsford. Points difference and bonus points can be important with the league scoring system. Harlow’s rivals will be aiming to cash in against the lower sides and Harlow must do the same.