Essex University 12 - 40 H&D II’s

As ever the squad had a number of changes due to player injuries and un-availabilities, Scrum Mark Bow is still side lines after surgery giving young Ciaran Johnston another week as he beds into the team, the mercurial Sean Mills Snr. proved that hard work does pay off as he was elevated to the first team leaving space in the back row for another Harwich stalwart Josh Edwards to fill the No.8 shirt and team up with young speed merchant Matt Green and Gareth Sanders-Crook, Rob Nicoll filled in the second row for only his second game of the season paired with returning warhorse Mike Cowley as Richard Woods retained his position in the one’s for another week.

Right from the kick off it was obvious the experience and extra ballast of the Harwich pack was going to be too much to contain for the younger light University forwards as they apply the pressure threatening the home side line immediately and it wasn’t long before Shaun Fox crossed the line out wide following as scrum five meters out, Harwich shipping the ball wide thanks to quick hands from Johnston, Craig Wilson, Guy Williams and birthday boy Owen Cowley finally ending up in the hand of full back Fox, Wilson converted.

The visitors continued to pressure their host’s line and quickly extended the lead when back row Gareth Sanders-Crook breached the defence for a converted try, Wilson splitting the uprights.

With a secure lead Harwich were giving away penalties like there was no tomorrow, despite clear instruction from the referee as they pushed the boundaries compromising their advantage and giving the University side good possession and the opportunity to run the ball as they threatened with pace and whilst not able to point on the board they kept the lead to a respectful twenty-one points at the turn around, Wing Lewis Kerley showered his power and speed as he brushed the defence aside to make the line by the skin of his teeth.

He host gave the visitors a wake-up call as they attacked from deep in their own half leaving would-be tackles in the wake for five well deserved points

The old man of the back row Josh Edwards justified his selection as he steadied the ship crashing over for his try as he ignored the overlap option created out wide, shortly after it was a try a pieces for the back row trio when flanker Matt Green stretched his legs, his line slicing through the defence with ease.

Essex University refused to roll over as they came back with another try but Harwich were staring to find their rhythm and were looking ever more threatening as Fox secured his second try of the day, Wilson missed his kick and hundred percent conversion records for the day.

As the game was very much in full flow it was brought to an abrupt and premature end twelve minutes from the whistle when one of the Universities player was injured in contact was unable to be moved, required an ambulance and we hope for a speedy recovery.
Harwich prop Rob Kemp was forced to leave the game though injury and the team will have to await his availability for the next game, but hopefully with a week of this week will give time to recover?

Whilst not one of the sea-siders best performances it was enough to secure full points to keep them top of the table for yet another week.

Team: M Sanders-Crook, O Bray [c], R Kemp, M Cowley, R Nicoll, M Green, G Sanders-Crook, J Edwards, C Johnston, C Wilson, D Warren, G Williams, O Cowley, L Kerley, S Fox, L Durrant, J Day, J Eldridge, C Heeney, D Johnstone.