H&D 43 - 10 Dagenham

Harwich & Dovercourt rugby club welcomed Dagenham to Low Road on Saturday to play their re-arranged Essex Cup match. Starting the game well the home side put their visitors under pressure and played the game at the right end of the pitch. With the forwards winning more than their share of the ball and the backs moving it through the hands things were looking good after the initial exchanges. Following a good lineout the ball was spun out wide where full back Adam Palmer accelerated into the back line and galloped over to score. Within a few minutes Palmer repeated the feat but on the other side of the pitch to score his second. Fly half Craig Wilson improved this second try having failed with the first attempt. Unfortunately Harwich took their foot off the pedal and Dagenham made them pay with a try of their own through their forwards. A good contest ensued for a while as both teams struggled to get on top. Kiwi prop forward Harley Hema ran a good line from thirty metres out and found himself clean through being chased down by the Dagenham defence. Despite being tackled just short of the line his momentum took him over for a good try. Wilson converted. The half ended with Dagenham creating a good overlap down their right wing and scoring another unconverted try. Halftime H&D - 19 Dagenham - 10.

Harwich started the second half brightly trying to retain possession of the ball in contact. They began to put pressure on their visitors leading to an overlap of their own which Palmer exploited, scoring his hat-trick. Kyle Hutchens had replaced Wilson at halftime but failed with the conversion. Harwich seized control of the game and following some excellent ball carrying big brother Simon Palmer scored the next try which was unconverted. After more good work from the forwards Adam Palmer again outpaced the defence to score his fourth try of the match. Shaun Fox, making a rare appearance, slotted over the conversion. Dagenham with some good possession put Harwich under pressure, but the ball was spilled to the floor. Outstanding wing forward Gareth Sanders-Crook was the first to it and set off on a fantastic 70 metre run which saw him outpace the Dagenham defence down the middle of the pitch. The conversion was simple for Fox as a result. Final score H & D - 43 Dagenham - 10.
Harwich & Dovercourt RUFC now move into the next round of the Essex Cup following this good result.

Next week is a return to league action at home to fellow seasiders Clacton.

Next week Harwich, now in 3rd place go to fourth placed Clacton.

Report by Jim Hayter