It is a measure of how Harwich have improved over the past year with this win over a team which had beaten them twice last season. With the first bonus point of the season in the bag for scoring four tries and having won their four opening games Harwich now go second in the league.
In blistering heat and on a rock hard pitch this game was never going to be easy for Harwich. This was made more difficult with the yellow carding of their full back Sam Male with only a minute gone. Crusader’s immediately applied pressure on the Harwich try line but could not break down the Harwich defence.

Throwing off the shackles Harwich began to dominate. In the 12 minute a ruck set up by the lively prop forward Jay Hatcher provided the platform for Joe Francis to pick up the ball 30 metres out and score under the posts. With the try converted Harwich were 7-0 up.
However, Crusaders made a comeback two minutes later scoring a try in the corner to make the scores level. Harwich did not let their heads drop and simply upped their work rate. Man of the match Kyle Hutchins started to pin Crusaders in their own half with well placed kicks and sharp passing. It wasn’t long before Harwich were awarded a penalty after Simon Palmer was illegally stopped after another fine run down the middle of the pitch. With the penalty converted by Male Harwich ere now in the lead 10-7.

Another penalty given after good work by Hatcher was duly dispatched by Male to put Harwich 13-7 up. Crusaders were unable to get out of their own half. The well drilled defensive display of the whole of the Harwich side saw some brave tackles being made which restricted any opposition game plan. Frustrating the Crusaders side Harwich were awarded but missed another penalty.

On the verge of half time Harwich won a scrum with the ball flying out to the Harwich winger Rob Simkins. From 22 metres out he beat 5 Crusaders players before scoring his first try of the season. With the try converted by Male Harwich were 20-7 up at half time.
Within four minutes of the restart Harwich extended their lead after another fine break by Hatcher. The ball was passed to Simon Keen who floated a pass out to Joe Francis to score in the far corner. With the conversion missed Harwich were now 25-7 points up and things were looking ominous for Crusaders.

Ten minutes later Harwich were awarded a free kick ten metres off the Crusaders try line which Jay Hatcher picked up and drove over for a well deserved try. Male made the kick and Harwich were 32-7 in hte lead and had a bonus point in the bag. After this Harwich seemed to take their foot off the pedal allowing Crusaders to pin them in their own half for the rest of the match. Time and again Crusaders would attack but the magnificent Harwich defence would not let them through. Time and again Crusaders were awarded penalties but could make no use of them. At the end of an exhausting match Harwich ran out winners with a fine controlled display.

This week Harwich are at home to top of the table Cantabrigians in a top of the table clash. Kick off at low Road is at 3pm.