H&D 57 - Mistley 08

This combined with having already secured second place for a second season, the Low Road side could of been forgiven for not being completely focused. But having to face local rivals Mistley was all the ammunition that was needed to fire the side up. Harwich ran out convincing 57-8 winners,having completely outclassed Mistley.

Harwich fumbled the kick off but after the resulting scrum were able to turn the ball over and began to make in roads into the Mistley half. From a penalty to Harwich, Sam Male kicked the first points of the game. This sparked the Harwich team into life. Hot on attack again Harwich forced Mistley on the back foot, some quick hands allowed tight head prop Paul Sewell to crash over for a fine team try. The rest the half continued in this way as Harwich ran in 5 more tries. Next on the score sheet was Kieran Green who ran through some weak tackles and out paced the covering defence to score. Sean Mills, playing only his second game of the season showed his class by setting up 2 tries. The first came from the restart when he broke down the blind-side from the half way line, he feed inside to winger Josh Newlyn who ran in unopposed. Next to benefit from Mills was Sean Fox. Mills this time putting in a well place chip kick for Fox to out pace the opposition and gather the bouncing ball and score. Adam Palmer then used his speed to score out wide and Newlyn scored his second after more interplay between the Harwich forwards and backs. With Male having an easier time with the kicking duties this week Harwich had a great halftime lead at 43-0.

Mistley started the second half a lot more determined and managed to keep Harwich at bay for most of the half. From a penalty inside the Harwich 22, Mistley got on the score board with a penalty kick, 43- 3. Harwich began to enjoy most of the possession and territory. Mills then got on the scoreboard himself with 2 well taken tries with Male converting both. Both coming after multiple phases as Mistley struggled to contain Harwich's more structured fluid game. As the game started to wind down Harwich seemed to switch off which allowed Mistley to score a try. With the final whistle Harwich had run out comprehensive winners at 57-8 and had completed four wins over Mistley for the season.

Harwich now have another Saturday off before they travel to Ipswich to take on the Ipswich Magpies who have been a transformed team after the Xmas break only losing once so a tight game will be expected.

Report by Shane Manning