H&D 24 - Pegasus Palmerians 20

H&D welcomed the travelling Pegasus Palmerians to the Low Road on Saturday. Special mention to Will Ovendon, making his debut for H&D at Scrum Half.

The home side started brightly and opened the scoring within five minutes. The lively Zach Keeley, playing in the back-row crossing the line from ten yards out. 5 - 0. H&D were straight back to it, putting the visitors under pressure. On the thirteen-minute mark, Fly Half Adam Eldridge’s long pass found Full Back Andrew Sterry with no defender to beat from fifteen yards out. 10-0.

With the home scoring two tries after thirteen minutes this was now a pivotal period of the game. And a period which saw Pegasus Palmerians react brilliantly. A long range converted penalty saw the visitors gain confidence. 10-3. They were then rewarded with a try after a bouncing ball evaded the H&D defence. The chasing attack then kicked the ball through and went on to win the foot race to the try line. 10-8 with Pegasus Palmerians now back in the game.

Both teams went on to score converted tries before half time. Number eight, Simon Keen crossing the line for H&D. Keen, bouncing off tackles and dancing this way over the try line. Adam Eldridge converting. 17-15 at half time.

On a day that started so brightly for H&D, the sides’ sparkle was very much non-existent during the second half. It was Pegasus Palmerians who started the second half with more intent. The visitors crossing the line for their third try of the afternoon after intercepting a ball in their own twenty-two and running the length of the pitch to score. 17 - 20.

With fifteen minutes left on the clock H&D took the lead again and picked up a try scoring bonus point. Andrew Sterry scoring his second of the afternoon, again from an Adam Eldridge assist. The home side managed the game well for the remainder of the match. Pinning Pegasus Palmerians back in their own half. Full Time Harwich & Dovercourt 24 - Pegasus Palmerians 20. Man of the Match was awarded to both Simon Keen and Andrew Sterry.

Although a below par performance for H&D, this bonus point win sees them third in Counties 2 Essex, below Maldon and Standford le Hope. H&D will now look forward to next Saturday, when they travel to Barking, 3pm kick off. Where both players and coaches will be looking for a much-improved performance.