Date: Sat 24th Mar 2018

Time: 3.00pm

Match Report

Harlow were at home last Saturday to Sudbury who have already made certain of finishing second in the league. It was a match which they could not expect to win. Their task was made nor difficult by the fact that their injury list still dominates team selection. That said the team they were able to put together played with commitment particularly the forwards and committed tackling kept the score lower than it might have been.

Sudbury had real speed in the backs and despite the Harlow commitment there were times when they broke clear of the home defence.

Sudbury took play into the Harlow half before Smith used a penalty to put play up to the half way line. After 5 minute however the visitors backs broke away to take the lead with a converted try. Harlow kept the visitors out for the next twenty five minutes; several time stopping what looked like a certain try with powerful tackling. Eventually Sudbury broke through for two unconverted tries in quick succession taking the score to 0 – 17. In the closing minuted they added another converted try. Harlow were determined to reply and a fierce period of play by their pack saw them force their way over the line. Harlow open side flanker James Clark got the touchdown. Smith converted and the teams went in for the break at 7 – 24.

Having got on the scoreboard Harlow started the second half with determination. For 30 minutes they defended their line and on several occasions got into the Sudbury 5 metre line. On 30 minutes the Sudbury backs spun the ball wide and a 40metre sprint saw them score under the posts and convert. In the closing minutes they added two more tries for a final score of 7 – 43.

Try:

Team: 1. Scott Stalley, 2. Martin Mallia, 3. Jack Christy, 4. Karl Roddell, 5. Adam Seeley, 6. Ryan Clark, 7. James Clark, 8. Simon Vanbeck, 9. Charlie Woodington, 10. Danny Smith, 11. Ryan McGlone, 12. Alfie Clark,13. Ross Stalley, 14. Scott Whitby, 15. Chay Clark, 16. Daniel Evans,17. Andrew Tarsey 18. Matthew Dodds.

Harlow still remain 5th in the league thanks to their powerful performance in the first half of the season. They have three games to come, Eighth place Ipswich away on the 7th April and then third placed Wanstead at home on the 14th April and finally League leaders Rochford at home on the 21st. This weekend they have the Easter break. The Ipswich game will depend heavily in player availability. To take points from the Wansted or Rochford games would be a significant achievement.