This week saw the return of 10 regular first team players so expectations were high.
Harwich received the kick-off from the home side on a beautiful hot sunny day. Harwich were a bit slow out of the blocks and the home side scored a try thanks to some sloppy defending, The try was converted for a 7-0 lead for Thorpeness.
This would be the home sides only points as Harwich then ran in 12 unanswered tries. Simon Palmer was first to score after finishing off a well practiced lineout move which was then followed quickly by another score to Robert Edgar, using his long limbs to outpace the opposition.
Palmer then scored his second through some hard direct running through the Thorpeness defence, not to be out done Edgar then followed suit after once again stepping and out pacing the defence. With Sean Fox in fine form with the boot, 3 of the 4 tries were converted for a 26-7 Harwich lead.
The backs not wanting to be upstaged by the forwards got in on the act and scored two lovely tries coming from Ian Flook and Elliot Hawkens. Both tries coming after Harwich had moved the ball from one side of the pitch to the other in a show of excellent passing and running rugby. With Sean Fox converting both tries Harwich went into the halftime break with a healthy 40-7 lead.
The question now was could Harwich sustain their speed and accuracy after the break, the answer was yes. With Thorpeness out on their feet Harwich ran in another 6 tries. 17 year old, Josh Newlyn in only his second 1st team game then scored a textbook try by finishing off a flowing backs move. Try converted 47-7.
Evergreen Simon Pitham then scored two quick tries, with both tries converted the score was 61-7. Newlyn then had his second and the scoring was finished off by Josh Jones who scored 2 repeat tries, both coming from quickly taken penalty kicks as Thorpeness watched Jones sprint past them at pace. With all three tries converted the final score was 82-7.
Harwich can be happy with there performance but their focus must now turn to their home game against Sudbury this Saturday. A much sterner test awaits the improving Harwich side so there is no time for complacency.
Report by Shane Manning