It was a new look H & D II’s that started the season, Craig Wilson taking on the helm and responsibility as Captain the team offered and good mix of youth and experience including coming of age Jack Mulligan played his first senior league game for the club claimed the No.9 shirt and put in a solid performance on his debut, they also say the return of Kieran Phelan who offered a wealth of experience in the centres and the Harwich pack looked fitter and more mobile following their hard work in the off season.

Harwich started strong from the whistle putting the visitors under early pressure all-round the park, but struggled to put points on the board as the players bedded in, unforced error giving Felixstowe a life line and a foot hold into the game as neither side could assert the dominance needed to control the game and gain the territorial advantage

Deadlock was broken midway through the half following an individual effort from prop Mark Sanders-Crook touched down over the line, taking route one from long distance clearing all in his path for the opening try.

Harwich discipline wavered in the second half with bad boy centres Kieran Phelan and Guy Williams both falling fowl of the match official receiving yellow cards disrupting their play and allowing Felixstowe to take advantage of the numerical advantage as with boosting confidence the visitors pick up the batten and began to spin the ball wide leading to a well-deserved converted try and a further penalty as the pressured the Harwich defence coming within two points and forcing the host to raise their game.

Despite struggling to find their continuity the host were able to string some phases together creating tries for centres Dan Johnston, Joe Francis and lock Mike Cowley, skipper Wilson finding early form with the boot converting 3 out of his side 4 tries.

This week Harwich II’s travel to neighbours Colchester, KO 3.00.

Squad: M Sanders-Crook, L Durrant, C Simpson, M Cowley, R Wood, J Schut, M Rozier, R Miller, J Mulligan, C Wilson (C), C Heeney, K Phelan, D Johnston, R Page, J Newland, J Francis, R Kemp D Warren, J White, P Parkin, G Williams, H Hema, B Finch