Harwich & Dovercourt 26 - Mersea 21

With the wind behind them Harwich went in search of points right from the off with Sam Male trying to convert a difficult penalty from 35 yards out. It seemed, however, that Harwich hadn't learnt the lesson from the previous weeks loss, tackles were being missed to allow Mersea to get on the front foot. Harwich scrum half, and man of the match, Simon Keen was the player to provide a first class lesson in bringing his opponents down.

This handful of missed tackles allowed Mersea to gain territory and soon after a penalty on the 8th minute, which gave them the lead. 0-3. Harwich replied immediately with Male converting his first score the afternoon. With tight and heavy play in the middle of the park it always looked like the game would be tight. It wasn't until the 18th minute that Clark Simpson made a super run which led to another Harwich penalty which Male duly dispatched to make the score 6-3.

Five minutes later Male notched up another penalty when Mersea were penalised at the break down. 9-3. Harwich now looked to up the tempo of their play and a long kick out of defence by the ever improving fly half Shaun Fox saw three Harwich players charging after the kick and forced a penalty from the Mersea winger. Male then converting yet another penalty to make the score 12-3.

Harwich now had a bit of confidence and a minute later a free kick in the middle of the park was picked up by Harwich skipper Sean Mills who made a great run down the blindside to score in the corner. With Sam Male's kicking at its absolute best, the full back converted from the side line in the tough conditions. Harwich were now 19-3 up. But Mersea were in no mood to capitulate and a few minutes later had a penalty which hit the upright and bounced out for them. The visitors then played several tight phases from 5 yards out to muscle their way over the try line. With the score 19-8 at half time both sides knew there was a lot of work to do.

Mersea started the second half in good fashion with the wind behind them, and soon converted a penalty from 30 yards to bring the score back to 19-11, but a minute later Harwich had extended their lead. Mills cut through the middle of the Mersea back line, breaking into the Mersea half before off-loading to the supporting Rob Simkins to score in the corner. With Male converting, Harwich had pulled ahead again 26-11.

But Mersea were far from done and in the 55th minute produced a try from the halfway line with good hard running from their back line. With the try converted Mersea were back in the game at 26-18. It became a war of attrition in the middle of the park with neither side able to break through. With the last play of the game Mersea decided to kick a penalty to pick up the losing bonus point, making the final score Harwich & Dovercourt 26- Mersea 21.

A truly entertaining hard fought but fair game played in the best spirit.