Harwich fight back for the win.

However, Hadleigh had other ideas and this would be a game that would come down to the wire.

From the first 15 minutes it was clear that Hadleigh would be using their bigger backs to try and run over the Harwich side. Thanks to some great tackling from captain Kyle Hutchins any breaks were dealt with. Harwich were giving away a number of penalties however and this kept handing Hadleigh field position time after time. It was through one of these penalties that Hadleigh scored first, for a 3-0 lead.

Harwich then sparked into life, playing with the structure that bought them success last season. First to score was Kyle Hutchins. Hutchins finished of a period of play where Harwich worked their way up the pitch maintaining possession to score in the corner, converted by Sean Fox, 7-3 to Harwich.

This was followed by another quick try to Adam Eldridge who finished off an attacking move from the kick off, converted by Fox again for a 14-3 lead to Harwich. Hadleigh had the last score of the half through another penalty for a 14-6 halftime lead for Harwich.

Harwich allowed Hadleigh back into the game after the break and Hadleigh scored with yet another penalty, 14-9 Harwich.

Harwich were dominating the scrums and lineouts against the bigger host pack and were gaining field position. It was from this territory advantage that Shane Manning managed to score in the corner for a 19-9 lead.

Harwich then leaked two quick tries to Hadleigh. Both from deep in Hadleigh’s half where Harwich should have scored themselves. With one of the tries converted Harwich found themselves behind for the second time in the match, 21-19 to Hadleigh.

With the game slipping away Harwich threw everything at Hadleigh. With all the pressure Hadleigh gave away a penalty in front of the posts and Hutchins stepped up to slot what would be the winning points, 22-21.

Harwich know they will need an improved effort this coming Saturday as they play host to Felixstowe. With the league proving to be a lot closer than last season Harwich will need to come out of the blocks firing.

Report by Shane Manning