For possibly the first time this season the home side got off to the faster start of the two sides and began applying pressure to the Basildon defence right from the off.

The Harwich pack were obviously keen to try and establish a strong foothold in the game and started with some powerful scrummaging from a determined front 5, causing the Basildon scrum some trouble over the course of the afternoon.

The home side were the first to break the deadlock with some powerful forward running from Leeks and Pitham, getting Harwich on the front foot. Moving the ball from side to side, Harwich were able to stretch the Basildon defence and score in the corner.

From the resultant kick off Harwich were back on the attack, using the wind and home knowledge to their advantage, fly half and runner up man of the match Ben Moore made a number of elite level kicks giving Harwich a great attacking platform in the Basildon Half. With the ball then being recycled through the forwards again, strong ball carrying from Josh Spearing in the centres allowed space to open up wide for Male to score in the corner to double the home sides lead.

Basildon then started to bring some pressure of their own with some good ball carrying from their tight 5 forwards. Slowly pushing the Harwich defence back and forcing penalties from the home side, allowed the away side to get a lineout inside the Harwich half. From this, a strong driving maul provided the platform for a well worked move to allow them to gain another penalty within the Harwich 22. Converting this for 3 pints to get on the score board.

The half went on with both sides having some good phases of play. The Harwich midfield partnership of Moore, Spearing and Ledua continued to caused the visitor defence trouble, but strong tackling kept the home side at bay for the next 15 minutes.
Finally Harwich were then able to break through the line once again with another strong carry from Man of the Match Spearing, who then managed to offload the ball to keep the move going to allow another Harwich try to be run in. This time converted to make the score 17-3 at half time.

The second half started with Basildon coming out of the blocks fast. Again strong attacking rugby put the Harwich defence under pressure and saw the away team making good yards through their kicking to touch. The Harwich defence stood strong and repelled this attack, but constant infringements resulted in more penalties going the way of the away team putting the home side under large amounts of pressure.

Eventually these penalties resulted in points when the Basildon forwards completed yet another well worked lineout to power over the line from 5 yards, and with the try being converted, bringing the score back to 17-10.

Harwich went back on the attack from the kick off and were unfortunate not to score themselves after a well worked move in midfield led to another break from Spearing but he was unable to provide the telling ball that would have led to a score.

The Harwich pack worked tirelessly in the scrum and led by a powerful front row of Captain Wood, Simpson and Bray were able to get a scrum penalty just outside the Basildon 22. Spearing duly converted the penalty kick to make the score 20-10.

Basildon, now chasing the game went back on the attack and continued to hammer away at a resolute Harwich defence. Unfortunately the Harwich discipline once again let them down allowing Basildon to kick their way back down the pitch and with a strong lineout, gained large yards and recycled the ball well to work toward the Harwich line.

After some punishing contacts between both sets of forwards, Harwich were adjudged to venture offside and provided a penalty 30 metres from their posts, which the Basildon man of the match and kicker duly slotted between the posts making the score 20-13

With only a few minutes remaining Basildon went back on the hunt for a potentially game drawing try. Moving the ball from side to side to try and stretch the Harwich defence, making good yards from wing to wing. With the Harwich team scrambling to defend their own line, the ball was worked from one side to the next, but a determined and resolute defence continued to hold its own and with a thunderous final tackle from captain Wood, the ball was knocked forward by the away side resulting in the final whistle and confirming another home victory for the Harwich side.

Both teams played some high quality flowing rugby and all spectators had been treated to a great match between two strong sides.

Harwich have a week off of league duty next week and travel to May & Baker in the Essex cup, but are also hosting a cheese and wine quiz night at the club in the evening, so please visit the club Facebook page for more details.

Report by Robert Wood