Harwich back to winning ways at Felixstowe

With a few players unavailable Harwich called in Rob Kemp, Rob Edgar and debutant Ben Jones into the side. After a promising Suffolk Cup defeat to higher league opposition the previous week, Harwich were in a confident frame of mind.

Harwich played into a strong wind in the first half which would make goal kicking difficult. Felixstowe started the brighter putting Harwich under some early pressure. Once Harwich managed to gain some possession they went on the attack. Showing a willingness to attack from everywhere on the pitch Harwich moved the ball to winger Adam Palmer, running from his own 22, Palmer fended off 2 would be tacklers and then outpaced the rest of the home sides defence to score a brilliant individual try, 5-0 Harwich.
From the kick-off the ball again went wide to Palmer who would repeat his run from a few minutes earlier to score another 80 metre try ,10 -0 Harwich. The Low Road side were making inroads with some hard running from Kemp, Paul Sewell and Edgar. From one of these runs by Edgar came Harwich's next try, Edgar drew in the last defender and gave a well-timed pass to Jack Cairns who went over to score,15-0 Harwich.
The pace Harwich was attacking at was causing Felixstowe no end of problems and they would go on to score two more tries, one a piece to Kyle Hutchins and Edgar. At the halftime break Harwich had a 25-0 lead and Felixstowe had a mountain to climb if they were to win.

Now with the wind behind them Harwich's fly-half, Sam Male continuously pinned Felixstowe deep into their own half. From a lineout in the Felixstowe 22 the Harwich forwards executed a well worked lineout move with Rob Kemp giving replacement George Brunning a pass with two defenders to beat, Brunning using his speed and strength crashed over the line to score, Male added the extra two points to make the score 32-0.

With the rain and wind increasing Harwich lost some momentum and got pulled into a scrappy game which suited the outclassed home side. Harwich however did restore order with a try to David Parkin after he scooped up a loose ball from a retreating Felixstowe scrum to score, Male converted for a 39-0 score line.

Next up was the turn of Simon Palmer, not to be out done by his younger brother, scored a trademark try by going on a rampaging run through the tiring Felixstowe defensive line, Male converted for a 46-0 score line. With time running out Edgar scored a converted try to finish the game. Even though Harwich had run out comfortable winners by 53-0, the players left a little frustrated as they aimed to complete a comprehensive 80-minute display.

This Saturday Harwich play host to Thorpeness and are hoping to turn on an 80-minute performance in only their 3rd home game of the season.

Report by Shane Manning