Maldon 20 – 12 Harwich & Dovercourt

The visitors making seven changes to the squad that faced Clacton. With special mention to Jack Mulligan, making his 1st team debut at inside-centre.

Maldon started the game the brighter of the two teams and had the visitors on the ropes during the opening ten minutes. The home side were rewarded with a well-deserved unconverted try. 5–0.

Harwich & Dovercourt then started to work their way into the game, with strong carries from back row Josh Leeks and Charlie Slatter. The visitors soon found themselves camped in the Maldon twenty-two for the first time in the match. But just as Harwich & Dovercourt looked to level the score line, Maldon intercepted a pass five yards out from their own try, running the ball back into the visitors twenty-two. Maldon followed with two quick phases, before crossing the try line for another unconverted try. 10-0.

After conceding against the run of play, Harwich & Dovercourt dusted themselves down and continued to threaten the Maldon defence. The front row of Paul Sewell, Cameron Clark and Clark Simpson worked tirelessly to get the visitors on to the front foot and soon forced Maldon to concede a penalty within kicking range. Adam Eldridge stepped up and converted from in front of the posts. 10-3

With Harwich & Dovercourt now taking control of the game, Maldon started to give away penalties. Eldridge took his chance and converted another penalty kick, taking the visitors to within four points of Maldon. 10-6 at half time.

The second half continued to be a close encounter, with the weather conditions forcing both sides to play tight rugby. Maldon were the first to extend their points tally after the break. The home team charging down an attempted clearance kick from Mills, before crossing the try line. Maldon converting the kick to take the score to 17-6.

Eldridge soon replied with another penalty kick, 17-9, before Harwich & Dovercourt went on the attack again. Centres Mulligan and Ledua making inroads into the Maldon defence. Whilst forwards Simon Pitham, Alfie Burns and Robert Edgar worked industriously at the breakdown to secure possession. Harwich & Dovercourt’s persistence was rewarded with another penalty and this time a yellow card for the Maldon inside-centre. Eldridge again converting, taking the score to 17-12 with five minutes left on the clock.

With the visitors within five points and the home side down to fourteen players, it was a tense finish to what had been an evenly matched contest. However, it was Maldon who picked up the final score of the match, converting a penalty kick from twenty five yards out.

Sadly the match was cut short with just minutes remaining, when the Maldon fly-half suffered a serious shoulder injury. Both captains agreeing to end the game early. Final score Maldon 20 – Harwich & Dovercourt 12. Simon Pitham was named forward of the match and Adam Eldridge back of the match.

Thanks to Maldon for their hospitality and we wish their fly-half a speedy recovery.