Sudbury received the kick-off and went to their fast backs right away. Harwich were able to contain Sudbury's speed and were using their superior scrum to control field position.

After missing a couple of earlier penalty attempts Shaun Fox finally managed to get some reward for all of Harwich's territory and possession and kicked the first points of the game for a 3-0 lead to Harwich.

Sudbury however started to gain a footing in the game and using their quicker backs managed to score two long range tries by getting around the outside of the Harwich defence, with both tries converted Sudbury raced out to a 14-3 lead.

Harwich kept to their strengths and managed to set up a maul 10 metres out from the Sudbury line, with the maul becoming stalled Kier Blacker managed to work his way over the try line for a much needed score, with the try unconverted the halftime score was 14-8 to Sudbury and Harwich would find themselves behind for the first time in the league at halftime at home for two seasons.

The start of the second half saw Harwich losing fly-half Fox to a dead leg which saw Alex Cullen take over the unfamiliar position and Shane Manning take over at 8. Harwich couldn't have had a worse start with Sudbury scoring a converted try for a 21-8 lead and the Harwich faithful were beginning to think that the home side were going to lose at home for the first time in two league seasons.

Harwich however roared into life and began to take the game to the young Sudbury side. More direct, aggressive running from Simon Pitham, Manning and Joe Sciberas began to make in-roads into the defence. It was from a powerful forward drive that Jack Cairns scored with the Sudbury defence on the back foot, then Alex Cullen converted much to the surprise of the home supporters and himself, 15-21 Sudbury.

Harwich than began to wear down the Sudbury side with a series of rolling mauls, it was from one 20 metre maul that Harwich's stand-in captain Josh Leeks scored his maiden first team try, with the conversion missed it was 21-20 to Sudbury and a very tense ten minutes awaited the home supporters.

Harwich's superior rucking was maintaining possession which lead to a yellow card for a Sudbury player for foul play. With continued dominance in the forwards Harwich pressed for the winning score, a penalty was then awarded to Harwich and hero of the day Alex Cullen kicked what would be the match winning points 23-21 to Harwich.

A lot of credit should go to Sudbury however who attacked at every opportunity and it made for a very enjoyable and exciting game of rugby.

Report by Shane Manning