Mersea 14 Harwich & Dovercourt 16

Harwich started well and in the first ten minutes it seemed only a matter of time until they scored. But the large Mersea pack held their defensive lines well and scrambled to the death on the touch line. During this period Harwich lost two key players with stand off Kyle Hutchins and flanker George Brunning both suffering leg injuries. the Harwich team realised it was going to be a long afternoon.

On the 15th minute Mersea pressed the Harwich line and drove over to score. With the try converted Harwich were 7-0 down. Immediately Harwich sought to come back with winger Nick Favilino unlucky to score. But Mersea had other ideas. a breakaway try scored under the posts saw Harwich go 14-0 with only 20 minutes gone.

The play became limited he centre of the park where Harwich tried to break out with skipper Sean Mills leading the way. But time and again Mersea, especially their captain (no 2) foiled their attempts. Harwich had to resort to picking off Mersea via the boot of Sam Male. In the last twenty minutes he kicked three penalties to bring the score back to 14-9. At half time Harwich knew they had their work cut out.

Within the first ten minutes of the second half Harwich were awarded two penalties one of which Male hit the post with. Again the game became limited to the middle of the park with Mersea trying ot make breaks form their own and Harwich's lineouts. Harwich man of the match Robert Edgar had a fine game and was involved in nearly every break down and move. With time running out Harwich just couldn't find a way through the Mersea defence. It wasn't until the final five minutes that Harwich got a break. Mills saw the gap behind the Mersea defence and kicked through. The Mersea full back was unable to gather the ball which allowed Faliveno the chance to pick up and score by the posts. With Male converting Harwich had won by the skin of their teeth.