Barking 14 - 36 H&D

Harwich & Dovercourt travelled to Barking for their round six Counties 2 Essex league fixture. H&D handing Ioan Woodward his 1st XV debut, Woodward starting on the wing for the visitors.

Harwich & Dovercourt were the first to score when Simon Pitham turned-over a Barking lineout on the H&D twenty-two. H&D went on the attack, shipping the wide to Andrew Sterry and Alex Morton. Who between them run half the length of the pitch. With Morton being stopped five yards outs. The supporting Jack Mulligan picked the ball from the base of the resulting ruck to cross the try mine from five yards out. 0-5

Barking then went on to score two well worked converted tries through the backs, taking the lead by nine points 14 - 5.

H&D replied just before half time, reducing the points deficit to four points. Ben Moore crossing the line on his first game back from injury. Andrew Sterry kicking through a loose ball, Moore then outpaced the chasing defence to cross the try line. 14 - 10 at Half Time.

H&D took full control of the match during the second half. Playing most of remaining forty minutes in their opponent’s half. The H&D set-piece was dominant and Adam Eldridge’s kicking for touch was superb. Keeping Barking under constant pressure.

Eldridge scored his first of the afternoon after 50 minutes. The full back cutting through the Barking mid-field to score under the posts. 14 - 17.
Eldridge was again on the scoreboard soon after. Mills kicking the ball behind the high pressing Barking defence with Eldridge collecting the ball one handed on the touch line with no full back to beat. 14-22.

Barking now seemed to be tiring, leaving more space for H&D to exploit. Andrew Sterry taking full advantage of this. After receiving the ball on the halfway line, Sterry went on the out-pace two defenders to score a great individual try. Eldridge converted the kick to take the score line to 14 -29.

Zak Keeley then rounded off the try scoring with five minutes to go. Keeley, cutting through the Barking defence after receiving the ball from Jack Mulligan on the Barking twenty-two. Eldridge again converting, taking his personal point tally to sixteen points for the afternoon. Final score Barking 14-36 Harwich & Dovercourt.

After a below par performance against Pegasus Palmarians, both players and coaches will be pleased with how H&D performed against Barking. Scoring six tries and controlling the game well. A big thanks to Barking for their hospitality and a very competitive contest.

H&D will play Millwall at home next Saturday, 5th November. 2:30pm Kick Off. The 2nd XV will also be in action at home, playing against Colchester IV.