Harwich See Off Battling Hadleigh

Although Harwich had already beaten Hadleigh twice this season, Harwich were aware of the threat Hadleigh posed at home.

Hadleigh with the sun behind them kicked-off and were immediately under pressure from the young Harwich side, after quick ruck ball was spun to the blind-side were number 8 for the day Robert Edgar out paced the defence to score Harwich's first try of the day within a minute.

However if Harwich had thought the flood gates would open they were mistaken. Hadleigh's tactics of slowing down Harwich ruck ball combined with some uncharacteristic handling errors from Harwich meant the young side had to wait until towards the end of a frustrating first half to add another try to their tally. A break by Kier Blacker was finished off by Jack Cairns, with the try unconverted Harwich had a 10-0 lead at the half time break.

With the players annoyed at a below par first half, all the half time talk from Captain Kyle Hutchins and Coach Shane Manning was about how to get back to basics, stick to our structures and up the tempo of the game. Harwich did exactly that.

George Brunning was introduced at half time and put in some big tackles which inspired the rest of the Harwich side to follow suit. Hadleigh had thrown everything at Harwich and were now tiring fast. Harwich took advantage of their superior fitness and scored a well worked team try to Blacker, scoring in the left hand corner, try converted by Shaun Fox, 17-0.

Another try followed shortly after as Brunning made a break from half way, after fending of a few would-be tacklers he offloaded to the veteran fullback Nick Faliveno to run in and score. 22-0. Faliveno then caught the ball from the restart and kicked for position, however the kick was not dealt with by Hadleigh and Harwich turned the ball over for Man of the Match Faliveno to score another try, converted by Fox, 29-0.

With time running out scrum half Josh Jones broke down the blind-side to score a fine individual try. Final score 34-0 to Harwich.

Harwich will be happy with another bonus point win but know that with higher league opponents Clacton coming to Low Road this Saturday an 80 minute performance will be needed if they are to progress to the next round of the Suffolk Cup.

Report by Shane Manning