H&D 08 - Writtle 30

Both teams had met each other in the league on a number of occasions in previous years and expected the game to be played at a frenetic pace and no one was disappointed.

Writtle showed no signs of travel weary legs and started the game very strongly, moving the ball with fluidity across the line and challenging the home side defence from win to wing.

About 10 minutes in, the travelling team were able to break the Harwich defence with some well worked slick handling, which led to them crossing the line to make the score 0-5 with the conversion missed.

From the resultant kick off, Writtle went back on the attack and worked their way into the Harwich half. The Harwich defence, led by the ever present Simon Pitham continued to repel the oncoming attacks, and in some phases were able to push the Writtle attack backwards and were unfortunate not to generate a number of turnovers.

After sustained pressure the Harwich side strayed offside at the ruck and gave away a penalty inside their 22. Writtle decided to take the points on offer and kicked the penalty to make the score 0-8.

Clearly keen to show their own attacking prowess, Harwich started to generate some possession of their own and were able build pressure and move the ball forward into the Writtle half. Again, strong defence meant the Harwich progress was slowed, but again sustained pressure meant a penalty was given, this time to the home side in a kickable position.

Sam Male stepped up with his trusty boot and took the points on offer making the score 3-8

Harwich now looked to press the point further and went on the attack again, with returning talismanic 10 Ben Moore leading the Harwich backline, centre partners Josh and Alex relished some quick attacking ball to go at the Writtle line and breaking the line to provide some wonderful attacking front foot ball.
With the ball then moved from one side to the other, Harwich went over in the corner, levelling the score at 8-8 with Male narrowly missing the conversion.

With a few minutes left in the half, the travelling Writtle team went back on the attack and with some strong ball carrying and offloading were able to press the Harwich line again. Some monstrous Harwich defence, led by man of the match Simpson, kept Writtle at bay, but eventually the Writtle forwards were able to power over the line to make the score 8-15.

Harwich again went looking to reply and with a fine break down the wing from the immensely hard working Mills, the ball was kicked through for speed merchant Sterry to show the pace of a thousand cheetahs to blitz down the line and get his hand to the ball over the line, but the referee bought the play back and rejected the calls for the try.

This bought a frantic and fast paced half to an end, with both teams having put on some wonderful rugby so far.

The second half started in the same way the first had ended with both teams looking to play fast and wide in the sunshine.

Harwich were on the attack and moving the ball well and with space available, opting to kick for territory went to the travelling back 3 who were able to return the ball for some very positive yards, and with the ball being recycled quickly, the Writtle wing was able to go over in the corner against the run of play to make the score 8-20 with the kick being missed.

Although hurt by the score, Harwich went back on the attack and sent another fine attack into the Writtle half. Strong ball play from Simpson, Clark and Sewell allowed the ball to get released to the back line and with some mesmerizing footwork in mid field, the ball was worked wide to Sterry who was able to attack the try line in the air and dot down for what looked like an outstanding finish, only for the winger to have been adjudged to have crossed the touchline first and the score not being counted.

Clearly incensed by the call, Harwich switched off for a moment and Writtle attacked from the lineout and released their own backline who were able to break down the wing and work into the harwich 22 and although after some huge effort and tracking back to defend the attack, the Harwich line was breached again making the score 8-25.

As the end of the game approached, the pace had clearly taken its toll on both sides and with Harwich looking to cross the line again the ball was again turned over and with a broken tackle the Writtle back line were able to run free into the Harwich half again. Although the covering defence kept the attack at bay, the ball was worked wide again for the Writtle team to cross one last time to make the score 8-30.

The home side tried to work back into the game once again, and pummeled the Writtle defence who stood up well to the onslaught, and although the effort from the home team was evident, they were unable to cross the line and the final whistle bought an end to the game and an end to the campaign for the year.

Everyone agreed that the game was a wonderful contest to witness and that both sides put everything out on the pitch and could all walk away proud after a hard fought battle.

After a solid season, Harwich will look to build upon their successes of the year to come back stronger next season and will now turn their attention to the upcoming 7's season. With the H&D Hawks 7s already entered into a handful of tournaments this summer.

Report by Robert Wood