Harwich travelled to Felixstowe for their second away game of the season looking to build on the previous week’s win over Bury St Edmunds Wolves. Sunny, mild conditions made for fast-flowing rugby, but it was Felixstowe who struck first.

Two minutes into the match, the hosts kicked a penalty to touch and set up a well-worked driving maul. Hooker Oliver Carr gathered the ball at the back before breaking away 10 metres from the line and powering over for the opening try. Tom Gibson added the conversion to make it 7-0.

Felixstowe kept the pressure on and Harwich soon found themselves down to 14 men. An over-eager scramble in defence ended with a knock-on that the referee deemed deliberate, resulting in a 10-minute spell in the sin bin.

A much-needed wake-up call for Harwich. Felixstowe spent several phases camped on the Harwich 5m line, but the visitor’s stayed patient and refused to give an inch. Eventually they forced a penalty and cleared their lines, keeping Felixstowe scoreless while a man down. Back at full strength, Harwich began to find their rhythm. A Felixstowe clearance kick was gathered by Andrew Sterry on halfway. He broke through the line, stepped the defending fullback and raced beneath the posts. Sam Parker converted to level the scores at 7-7.

Felixstowe edged back in front through the boot of Gibson, who landed a penalty from the 22m line to make it 10-7.

The response from Harwich was immediate. Alex Morton broke the line just inside the Harwich half and quick ball followed at the ruck. Fly-half Tommy Palmer moved it on to Sterry, who found space, beat his man and scored beneath the posts for his second of the afternoon. Parker added the conversion and Harwich led 10-14.

Sterry completed his hat-trick shortly afterwards. Palmer kicked over the top, Felixstowe gathered, but Kobe Ayling forced the knock-on. Sterry reacted quickest, regathered the ball and used his pace out wide to beat the final defender. Parker converted again. 10-21

Half-time: Felixstowe Badgers 10-21 Harwich & Dovercourt

The second half was tighter, with both sides enjoying spells of possession but finding it harder to break through.
Harwich’s pack earned a scrum penalty and returning captain Flynn Garwood opted for the posts. Parker made no mistake, stretching the lead to 10-24.

Harwich kept the pressure on and spent long periods inside the Felixstowe 22. After repeated offside penalties, Felixstowe were reduced to 14 men and Harwich were handed another chance from the tee. This time the penalty came from 45m and close to the touchline. Parker judged it perfectly, sending the ball through the posts to extend the lead to three scores at 10-27.

Felixstowe continued to test the Harwich defence in the closing stages, but the visitors stood firm and saw out the game without conceding again.

Full-time: Felixstowe Badgers 10-27 Harwich & Dovercourt

The win makes it five victories from six for Harwich, who now sit third in the table. Next up, Harwich and Dovercourt return to Wick Lane to face Stowmarket III on 14th November.