Clacton II's 5 - H&D II’s 19

As the teams battled in the cold condition, having to contend with strong cross winds throughout the day.

Harwich started the stronger trying to playing to play expansive rugby in difficult conditions, suffering from unforced errors as they struggled to find continuity on the park, Clacton keeping the ball in tight capitalising on the mistakes keeping the play in the centre of the park.

The deadlock was broken when Harwich No.10 Joe Francis produced one of his characteristic trade mark jinking runs after his pack made the hard yards hitting up tight for field position he touched down for a try converted by Skipper on the park Sam Jewell.

Clacton tight game found them camped on the Harwich line for what seemed an eternity for the victors defended vigorously losing hooker grant Rayner to injury in their efforts as they held firm eventually managing to turn defence into attack, Joe Frances creating the initial break as he evaded the would be tackles to offload to No.8 George Brunning who made good yard in the space created before releasing Full Back Ben Jones for his second try in as many games as the youngster continued to show his diversity and potential increasing the visitors lead, Sam Jewell split the post again.

Harwich struggled as they suffered the loss of George Brunning and then Sam Jewell to injury forcing changes to their formation as they settled it was Clacton opportunity to capitalise, battering their way up the pitch and over the try line just before the half time whistle, leaving Harwich with a fragile 14 – 5 lead.

There was little between the side in the second half as they battle hard in the tough weather conditions a fading light, looked strong with their direct style of rugby finding themselves camped on the Harwich line for long period of time but were unable to breach a resolute defence, Harwich being forced to attack from deep found Replacement No.8 Nick Logie breaking from his own 22 as they counter attack drawing in the stretch defence before releasing Scrum Half Elliot Hawkin in the space created to finish off the move with an unconverted try and only score in the half.

Man of the match was awarded to Ben Jones as the youngster switch from stand-off to Full Back to put in another strong performance.

Captain Oliver Bray was in charge from the side line as his side dug deep as they were forced to grind out a victory in stark contrast to last week free scoring encounter and was full of praise for the players and the ability to adapt their game.

Next week Harwich II’s have a friendly away to Felixstowe.