Date: Sat 30th Sep 2017
Time: 3.00pm
Match Report
There was an air of excitement in The Rams changing room prior to Saturday’s fixture as this was not only the first home game of the season but also the first appearance for the squad at the new Harlow ground.
Harlow fielded a strong squad but it was the visitors who drew first blood, breaking the defensive line to go in for a converted score within the first five minutes.
The home team replied almost immediately with Joel Drake speeding over in the corner following an impressive period of Rams attacking play; 5-7.
Woodford came back strongly but were thwarted by the abrasive home defence at every turn. The aggressive tackling forcing the turnover before Ryan Clark sped through the Woodford line to touch down under the posts; 12-7.
There then followed a pivotal period of the match as the visitors camped inside the Harlow twenty-two for twenty minutes, constantly battering against the Harlow defensive line and coming inches from scoring on several occasions but each time the defence held firm.
Try as they might, neither team could force the advantage until the visitors finally settled for kicking a penalty goal; 12-10.
Within minutes it was 17-10 following a clever cross-field kick from Alfie Clark which fell sweetly for Drake, who brushed aside the final defender before diving over in the corner for his second score of the day. Halftime and, although there was only one converted score between the teams, Harlow were now firmly in control.
Within minutes of the restart Alfie Clark had stepped through the Woodford defence to touch down under the posts twice; 29-10.
The pressure now being exerted by The Rams was becoming unbearable and as the visitors began to fall off tackles, the home team began to run amok.
Rhys Whitby was next to breach the Woodford defensive line closely followed by a second for Ryan Clark and a third for Alfie.
The visitors rallied briefly but were unable to penetrate the Harlow defensive line as again and again they were driven back in the tackle before Joe Heeney finally finished off proceedings with the final touchdown of the day; 59-10 and final whistle.
A strong display from The Rams which was a perfect way to start their new playing career at Latton Farm. The blend of existing squad members from last season, new players to the club and returning players gelling together well and promising good things for the season ahead.
Scoring;
Try – J. Drake (2), R. Clark (2), A. Clark (3), R. Whitby, J. Heeney
Con – C. Clark (7)
- Barrie Hussey
- Mitchell Hodgkinson
- Danny Fitzgerald
- James Roberts
- Andrew Green
- Derry Joyce
- Owen Blissett
- Ryan Clark
- Alfie Clark
- Ben Seymour
- Joel Drake
- Chay Clark
- Rhys Whitby
- Ryan Wilson
- Robert Mackie
- Ash Westall
- Dan Hockley
- Chris Davis
- Joe Heeney
- Martin Mallia