Date: Sun 26th Sep 2021

Time: 1.00pm

Match Report

We travelled to Old Brentwood’s for a slightly earlier than normal 10am kick off wondering how our teenagers would cope with a little less time in their beds. Our last game before lock down in March 2020 was against Old Brentwood’s and we didn’t perform as well as we would have liked, so the players wanted to show how much they had improved in the passing 18 months from under 14 to under 16.

We needn’t have worried, the competition in the team and the standards they set for themselves led the way despite a lack of sleep. It appeared to be affecting the traveling support more than those with their kit on.

A bright start with the Harlow pack drawing in the defence with the backs looking to play the space in front of them. Great hands from Corey Kelman and Montelle Levy before Jamie Oliver grounded out wide. 0-5.

Next up from a penalty, again Corey Kelman was involved with Jamie Oliver switching play for Kai Young to ground under the posts. Joseph Pankhurst converted 0-12.

After 15 mins we made our first replacements with Felix Waugh coming into the front row for Atakan Alagoz and Brandon Jackson coming on for Joseph Williams.

We thought the best try you would see in a youth game was against Thurrock a few weeks back, but today the bar was raised somewhat further.  Driving down the right-hand side of the pitch we had a split of forwards and back across the pitch. Joseph Pankhurst received the ball with a wide pass to Owen Eynon, Charlie Jacques ran a direct line which held the defence Owen passed behind Charlie to Tolu Ajibabi in space. His rampaging run was cut short by a stubborn Old Brentwood’s defence, support was on hand from our wide players with delecate hands Montelle Levy and then Jamie Oliver completed the move touching down by the posts. Harlow Under 16s take a bow, what a try and what a team effort. Joseph Pankhurst converted. 0-19.

Next up the final try of the half saw Jack Rushworth pick the ball up from the base and tear through the space. He drew the final man to put Montelle Levy in by the posts. Joseph Pankhurst once again converted 0-26.

Half time 0 – 26.

The half time team talk reflected on the way we were playing without much to add, playing the space in front of them. Griffin Clark came on the wing with Montelle Levy moving to scrum half.

The second half began with Old Brentwood’s re-grouped and with some purpose. The carried the ball hard and worked well to score their only try of the game which was converted. 7-26.

After 15 mins Harlow reversed our front row replacements with Atakan Alagoz and Felix Waugh returning to the pitch in place of Brandon Jackson and Joseph Williams.

We seemed to have many scrums in the second half with much short play. A few errors at the breakdown from Old Brentwood’s saw them penalised with Harlow working their way down the left-hand touch line with a string of lineouts. The final line out was 5 meters out with the clean catch and drive executed brilliantly. Ben Ferrier broke from the back to touch down out wide. 7-31.

In the last five minutes Harlow scored their final try of the game. From an Old Brentwood’s scrum Harlow pushed them off their own ball. Tolu picked up at number eight running left, sealed off well by the chasing forwards, Joseph Pankhurst ghosted down the blind side showing the ball to the winger and stepping into the resulting space to touch down. He then converted his own try. 7-38.

Great games this week from several players Atakan Alagoz and Charlie Jacques showing their dominance in the scrum backed up this week by Felix Waugh and Brandon Jackson. The back row of Ben Ferrier, Tolu Ajibabi and Alfie Dutnall working hard to chop the opposition down and secure the ball. The line out continues to develop with both Corey Kelman and Ed Lea looking comfortable in the air. Tobie Westbrook’s fearless tackling at full back when it is needed keeps the opposition out and prevents them getting a foothold in the game. If we had chosen a man of the match today the deliberations would have gone into the night.

Final Score 7 – 38.

Next week Harlow Under 16s have their first cup and home game of the season. We will be facing a strong Romford side at Latton Park. Kick-off is likely to be at 12:30 which will be confirmed later this week.

Tries: Jamie Oliver (2), Kai Young, Montelle Levy, Ben Ferrier, Joseph Pankhurst
Conversions: Joseph Pankhurst (4)
Penalties:
Referee:  Paul Eynon from Harlow

Team
1. Atakan Alqgoz, 2. Charlie Jacques, 3. Joseph Williams, 4. Ed Lea, 5. Corey Kelman, 6. Alfie Dutnall, 7.Ben Ferrier, 8. Tolu Ajibabi, 9. Jack Rushworth, 10. Joseph Pankhurst, 11. Montelle Levy, 12. Jamie Oliver, 13. Owen Eynon, 14. Kai Young, 15. Tobie Westbrook, 16. Felix Waugh, 17. Brandon Jackson, 20. Griffin Clark