Billericay 28 - 8 H&D

Travelling down the A12 Harwich & Dovercourt rugby club had their third round league game against early league leaders Billericay.
The game started well for Harwich with the forwards keeping possession and playing the early exchanges in the Billericay half. Despite this pressure the home defence did not allow their opposition to get over the line for that vital early try. Instead Harwich had to settle for a penalty following a tackler not rolling away. Sam Male, playing at full back, stepped up to take the kick and made it look easy as the visitors took an early three point lead.

Following the restart H&D were again surging forward but lost their own line out in an attacking position, giving the home team some relief. Settling in their game Billericay looked good particularly moving the ball through their back line. With some uncommitted defending from Harwich, the home backs scored in the left corner, but missed the conversion, Billericay 5 - Harwich 3. With the game ebbing and flowing both sides had chances to improve the scoreboard, Billericay particularly missing a kickable penalty. From the 22 metre restart, Harwich had difficulty in getting out of their half. From a penalty the home side kicked to the corner and won their line out. As the ball moved from the line out a smart inside pass saw Billericay score another try, which was converted. Billericay 12 - H & D 3.

Looking to score again the home side had a line out in Harwich’s 22, causing the visitors problems in defence. They were awarded another penalty which was converted. 15 - 3.

H & D keeping possession, made inroads into the Billericay 22. The home side were under a lot of pressure leading up to half time, which was made worse as the referee brandished his yellow card in fairly quick succession, giving two of their forwards ten minutes rest. Despite the penalties Harwich went for the score over the line rather than the three kickable points. It was a gamble which didn’t pay off as they ended the half without adding to their score. Billericay 12 - Harwich & Dovercourt 3.

From the kick off Billericay were soon awarded a penalty. Kicking for the touch, they won their own line-out and finding a gap in the Harwich defence got over the line for another try, despite being down to thirteen players. The conversion was missed, 20 - 3. Harwich trying to make their greater numbers count, attacking in their oppositions 22 forced a lineout, which they won. The forwards drove over the line, the ball being grounded by replacement prop, Mark Sanders-Crook. The conversion was missed by Male leaving the score at 20 - 8.

As Billericay got back to a full complement, they exerted pressure again on their visitors. This time it was Harwich being penalised in their own 22, resulting in a sin binning. Billericay exposed the defence, with their wing forward getting over the line, during this period. Unluckily he dropped the ball instead of touching down, to the relief of the Harwich players and supporters. The pressure from the home team continued and another H & D player was sin-binned for entering the ruck at the side. There was then a nasty incident of stamping by a Billericay player which the referee dealt with by showing a red card.

The home side continued to dominate and were awarded a penalty, which was kicked to extend their lead to 23 - 8. As time ticked away it was Billericay again who got over the try line for another five pointer. The conversion was missed leaving the full time score Billericay 28 - Harwich & Dovercourt 8.

Next week’s game is at home against Burnham on Crouch.

Report by Jim Hayter