Harwich & Dovercourt delivered a spirited performance on the road but ultimately fell short in a hard-fought contest against Clacton RFC, going down 27–12 in a match that was far closer than the final scoreline suggests.
Harwich made the brighter start, taking early control of the game and opening the scoring through Zak Keeley, who finished confidently after sustained pressure. Clacton responded quickly with a powerful running try of their own, setting the tone for a tightly contested first half.

Undeterred, Harwich struck back with a well-worked team try, finished by Sam Parker after some slick handling and good support play. Once again, Clacton found an answer, crossing for another try to keep the sides locked together. As the half drew to a close, Clacton edged ahead with a penalty kick, giving them a narrow 15–12 lead at the break.
The second half saw Clacton come out with renewed intensity, applying consistent pressure deep in Harwich territory. Harwich’s defensive effort remained resolute for long periods, but as injuries began to take their toll, cracks started to appear. Clacton capitalised, adding further tries to extend their lead.
Despite the scoreline, Harwich stayed competitive throughout, with much of the game finely balanced and decided by small margins. However, Clacton’s ability to convert pressure into points in the latter stages ultimately proved decisive.

Zak Keeley’s all-action performance earned him Man of the Match honours, capping off an impressive individual display.

Harwich & Dovercourt will now look to finish their campaign on a high when they face Canvey Island RFC in their final fixture.