The match started at a quick pace with both sides keen to test the opponents defenses wherever possible, especially through some sublime forward and backs interlinking from the home side.

Harwich looked to get on the front foot and early on put huge amounts of pressure on the Clacton line out, with some wonderful aerial skills on show from Robert Edgar and Ryan Pitham, following some expert lifting from Sewell and Simpson.

Harwich scored the first try of the game with some strong forward carries paving the way for some space out wide, allowing the back line to stretch their legs and break the gain line, and with their opponents on the back foot, a strong carry from debutant Charlie Slatter to break several tackles before scoring under the posts.

It was clear the home team were keen to impress the home crowd and within a few minutes were back on the attack in their opponents half. After a steal in midfield, Harwich were able to counter attack with some quick hands through the backline giving Adam Eldridge the chance to break down the wing and after evading a number of tackles, went over in the corner.

Miles Farley , again playing his first game for the side, was the next to score after some further strong carrying in the forwards from Slatter, Burns and Sewell allowed Harwich to be on the front foot, and with some crisp passing, Farley was able to use some incredible footwork to break through the defensive line and go over for Harwich's 3rd try.

Harwich then once again pressured the Clacton defense and were unlucky not to add a second try for eldridge after the ref had adjudged a forward pass at the end of some wonderful play through the centres.

Although on the back foot for some of the half, Clacton continued to apply pressure in both attack and defense and this soon paid dividend as the Clacton man of the match and outside centre capitalised on a rare Harwich mistake to then run a 50 metre try in for the away side which was duly converted and bought the half time whistle not long after.

The second half saw Clacton come out with renewed vigor and determination to improve on their first half performance. The forwards began to press more and more and after some attritional play in the midfield, they were able to release their back line and create space for their outside centre to again run through the Harwich defensive line and score another good try under the posts.

Following this breach of their defenses, the home side were clearly awakened and were on the attack again through some well organised forward play and strong carries from Simon Pitham and young Cam Clarke, making large meters on several occassions. Simpson and Sewell also seemed invigorated and had rolled back the years with multiple strong carries throughout the game. All of this pressure resulted in the Clacton defence becoming stretched and allowing the always dangerous Ben Moore to break through a gap and score under the posts.

The game continued to eb and flow with both sides applying pressure to the other and looking to break throuh and add additional points and both sides coming close on occassions, with some sublime defence on display at times as well, especially with a large number fo turnovers being gained from Slatter and Burns in all areas of the field.
Captain for the day Mills, playing centre was able to show off his range of skills by also securing some well needed turn over ball to thwart some well worked clacton attacks.

The final score of the game came from Clacton turning defence into attack and capitalising on a Harwich handling error, which allowed their centre to again gather the ball and show great pace to beat the onrushing defenders to score under the posts once again.

With the final whistle came a huge cheer from the sidelines as the home side were able to finish 26-21 victors and start their league campaign with a well deserved win. Man of the match went to Slatter with noticable mentions going to Clarke and Burns for some impressive perfoirmances as well. #

Harwich next travel to Maldon to see if they can move their season to 2-0 next Saturday.

Report by Robert Wood