Stowmarket had just come off a creditable game against the undefeated Colchester so Harwich had prepared for a difficult afternoon. But what took place was any but as Harwich ran out 102-0 winners in an extremely one sided game.
Harwich kicked off and went on the attack right away and didn't take before they scored the first of 16 tries. With Stowmarket struggling to clear lines home skipper Josh Leeks charged down a clearing kick in goal for player/coach Shane Manning to score the easiest of tries. Harwich were dominating every phase of play and looked like scoring every time they went wide. Winger Adam Palmer went on to score 3 tries by using his pace on the outside. 2 more tries were scored in the half with Tommy Kite finishing off out wide and Simon Pitham scored after chasing a kick which was spilled by the Stowmarket fullback. With Sam Male kicking 3 conversion's Harwich had a 36-0 lead at the break. Harwich should of had a bigger lead given the amount of scoring opportunities they had created but down to poor option taking or the last pass being not been given they were perhaps 20 points short.
At the half time break Harwich coach Manning let his players know that the first half was not up to scratch and they must get back to there structure and game plan. What the players delivered in the second half was exactly what there coach was after as they scored 66 points, just about doubling there first half effort.
First to score after the break was debutant Chuck Heeney as he ran an excellent supporting line on 2 occasion's to score 2 tries. The tries kept coming with Jack Cairns bagging 2, Kite getting his second, winger Adam Palmer finished his day with another taking his tally to 4. Veteran scrum half Kier Blacker scored 2 tries, Elliot Hawkins finished the day with one. Sam Male added a try to go with his 8 conversion's in the half. The final score finished at 102-0. The Stowmarket players showed great heart to compete to the end given the task they were facing. Harwich now have a week off before taking on Ipswich YM .
Report by Shane Manning