Clacton 16-23 H&D

On Saturday Harwich and Dovercourt took to the field against local rivals Clacton Rugby Club. The game took place at Clacton rugby club.

Good preparation prior to the kick off lead to Harwich dominating the start of the game, repelling Clacton’s threats. Harwich made good ground when they had possession of the ball, stretching the Clacton defence.

The first points came from consistent pressure from the Harwich pack leading to a penalty, which was successfully kicked over by Sam Male, making the score 0-3 to Harwich. Soon after Clacton put the pressure straight back on Harwich, which led them to giving a penalty away. The score was all level.

The game carried on being a very close encounter, with both teams putting pressure on via open play and set pieces. A try came from good pressure from the Harwich backline where Adam Eldridge intercepted a pass to go under the posts to score. Male kicked the extras to make the score 3-10 to Harwich.

Clacton using very big forwards to good use created some miss matches, against the Harwich defence, scoring in the corner but the conversion was missed, making the score 8-10.

The game was very even with neither team scoring before the end of the first half.
Clacton were out the blocks in the second half scoring quickly out wide, but the conversion was missed again. The score 13-10 to the home side.

Harwich had to regather themselves and get their heads back in the game. They did this through good intensity from both the forwards and backs making good line breaks which ended up with an infringement from Clacton. The penalty was converted by Male to make the scores level.

Shortly after the penalty, a piece of individual brilliance saw Sean Mills (Jnr) cross the try line to put Harwich back in the lead. Male converted to make the score 13-20.

Clacton replied to the try with good set piece work and gained a penalty out of it, which lead to another 3 points being kicked over. Harwich were awarded two penalties near the end of the game. Male only converting one of them.
Final score 16-23 to Harwich.

Coach Cullen said “Very impressed with the team’s heart and determination in defence against a big and strong Clacton side. We took our opportunities to score when presented with them, which is pleasing to see after a long preseason. The hard work has clearly paid off”
Harwich face Thames rugby club at Low Road this Saturday, kick off 3pm.

Report by Jim Hayter