Ipswich YM 0 – Harwich & Dovercourt 15

Harwich & Dovercourt RUFC warmed up for the new season in Essex League 1 with a preseason friendly against Ipswich YM from Eastern Counties 1, a comparable league.

Ipswich started the game, which was played in four 20 minute quarters, quite well spending a lot of the time in the Harwich half and attacking their try line. However Harwich defended resolutely and gained confidence from this.

In the second quarter Harwich started to secure some good possession with young stand off Owen Cowley distributing the ball well. The Harwich forwards started to dominate their hosts in the forwards slowly, but it was the Harwich backs that showed the way with several line breaks before scoring the first try of the game. Young Cowley using great footwork made a break from his own 10 yard line which was finished off by winger Adam Palmer in the corner.

Despite changing several players for the third quarter Harwich continued to assert themselves and spent a lot of the time in the YM half. Again good movement in the backs saw Adam Eldridge from full back make an incisive run to score. Harwich continued to make progress in their play and spent the final quarter playing in Ipswich's half. However the final try was a solo effort from George Brunning who shrugged off several would be tacklers on his way over the line. This included a high tackle which dislocated his jaw. Fortunately his jaw was relocated after the game successfully without a trip to A & E.

This was a good first game for Harwich and all the players involved made a positive contribution. The coaching team had requested good handling and good defence, both of which were very evident during the game.

Report by Jim Hayter