It was all change for Harwich second team with Skipper Oly Bray on the injury list and his vice Sam Jewel enjoying his run in the one’s it was a return veteran scrum Half Mark Bow and Hooker Lewis Inglis from injury, walking wounded Sam Male was fit enough and took the No. 10 shirt, There were also debut league action for Wingers Mark Griggs and Adam Harris having impressed in the third team friendly’s against Mersea and Wattisham earlier in the month they both deserved the call up, this week also see veteran back Kier Blacker make his first appearance of the season.

It was a strong start from the Harwich side who just misted taking an early within minutes of the start as they spilled the ball just short of the line, but there wasn’t long to wait as No.8 Josh Edwards broke from the back a scrum at close range to open the home side account for the day, Wilson was unable to convert.

Edwards was on fire playing with confidence and was soon crossing the line again after Harwich broke the Aldeburgh defence in the middle of the park, Wilson converted.

Harwich were dominating all-round the park but the high level of unforced errors was hampering their progression and braking there continuity, giving the visitor a foot hold in the game after string of offences they found themselves in opposition territory which lead to an individual try from the stand off as the Harwich defence disappeared.

The host soon re-established their dominance with tries from Craig Wilson, Lewis Kerley and Prop Rob Kemp before the half way point to establish a 19 – 7 lead.

The visitors regrouped as the host were slow to get off the mark disrupting play and getting in amongst the opposition who were sucked into the game plan as the sides battled in the middle of the pitch and where rewarded for the efforts as they turned over Harwich ball on the half way line to run in unopposed to open the second half scoring.

As Harwich wised to the tactic the regained their composure as they started to make the most of the possession, Mark Griggs came close to extend the lead as he touched down over the line only to be called back for an earlier infringement, soon after his team were reduced to fourteen as Flanker Simon Pitham took the team yellow card after a string of infringements.

Being a man down seemed to be the catalyst for the Harwich resurgence as they closed ranks and stepped up the tempo, looking sharp on the offense and that yard quicker in defence they were controlling the game and making the most of the depth of squad as Matt Stace, Kier Blacker and Adam Harris all came off the bench and bagging a try a piece as the strength and injection of pace was to much for a flagging defence.

Whilst skipper Oly Bray was forced to conduct proceeding from the side line his team put in a solid performance from players old and new, despite taking a while to gel we have done all we can, securing a bonus point win and sit at the top of our league equal on points with second place Thurston but with a better points difference with one game remaining.

Harwich have a big ask when they travel to Halstead on 25th March, The Templars who have already secured third spot this season are unable to catch the top two will be tough test and Harwich will be looking to control their own destiny with another bonus point which should be sufficient with the points advantage to finish top?

Team: M Sanders-Crook, L Inglis, R Kemp, M Cowley, J Webb, S Pitham, S Mills Snr, J Edwards, M Bow, S Male, L Kerley, C Wilson, D Johnstone, J Eldridge, C Heeney, D Warren, M Stace, C Tierney, M Griggs, A Harris, K Blacker, A Cullen.

Report by Andy Bray