Harwich & Dovercourt II 38 – 28 Aldeburgh & Thorpeness

Looking to get back in the winning track skipper Dave Warren encouraged the boys to start quickly, get on the front foot early and put on a display for the expectant crowd. However as always seems to be the case whilst starting brightly Harwich went behind to a well work move and we’re down 7-0 after ten minutes. This however did not stop Harwich working hard, gaining good ground and when needed defending well. In fact with Harwich fielding its youngest back row in the history of the Harwich 2nd XV, we saw tackles galore and plenty of hard running from all three, and special mention here to Man of the Match Josh Eldridge who started this game at number eight for the first, but certainly not the last time.

Eventually after some consistent pressure and a good catch and drive for the forwards Ryan Boyne smashed over from close range, as we progressed through the game Boyne racked up points in the same way Hulk Hogan used to win WWF titles.

It was good to see so much youth in the second team, Young Cameron Cowley learning the ropes of 2nd row from his old man, in fact it too took him all of twenty five minutes to rack up his dads stats for the entire season, one of those being a try after twenty five minutes, which Boyne converted to give Harwich a 12-7 lead. Shortly before half time Sean Mills Jnr, showing there is plenty of magic left in the locker, orchestrating a move from the Harwich 22 which went the length of the pitch with Mills scoring in the corner which left the half time score 17-7.

The coaches’ half time talk was inspiring, with Alex Cullen showing there is a career in punditry for him by telling the boys, ‘the next score is really important’.

The boys responded to these inspiring words and then spent the next fifteen minutes working hard, putting pressure on Aldeburgh & Thorpeness and eventually scoring another try to stretch the lead to 24-7.

Harwich then turned on the style and with George White rolling back the years and crashing over for two try’s either side of an Aldeburgh & Thorpeness a score saw Harwich stretch the lead to 38-14.

Two late scores from a game Aldeburgh & Thorpeness side gave a more respectable look to the scoreboard with Harwich running out 38-28 winners on what was a very satisfying afternoon for the Harwich 2nd XV.

Report by Magic Mike