2nd XV
Matches
Sat 01 Nov 2014  ·  Eastern Counties Greene King Division Three South
H & D RUFC
2nd XV
12
43
Colchester 3
Harwich 2's Show Pride In Defeat

Harwich 2's Show Pride In Defeat

Simon Woodley5 Nov 2014 - 00:01
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Harwich entertained a well drilled Colchester side this week.

Colchester were quickly on the score sheet as they started the sharper of the two sides establishing an early 15 point lead coming from a penalty and two tries, one conversion for no reply.

Harwich showed their resolve as they rallied and contained the Colchester advances as they proved a match for their opponent digging deep when they went down to fourteen then thirteen men with Guy Harris and David Parkin both falling foul of the referee to receive yellow cards.

Colchester broke the stalemate as they crossed the line on the mark of half time to consolidate the lead. Revitalised following the break the home side set about the task ahead and played with a new found confidence. Non more so than the Harwich back row of Matt Green, Simon Pitham, David Parkin and later Gareth Richardson who worked tirelessly for the team as they gave no quarter in their efforts. Mark Bowe at scrum half provided the vital link between the forwards and backs and the ball was moving freely across the park as both sides battled for possession. Sean Mills Jnr, Elliott Hawkins and James Cullen posing problems in the centres with the support of Danny Horrigan and Sam Jewell and later Craig Wilson being able to press forward to probe out wide safe in the knowledge that Guy Williams was the last line of defence who put in a number of try saving tackles to earn the accolade of man of the match against tough competition.

Despite all Harwich's effort they lost focus for a short period during which Colchester put them to the sword with three converted tries without reply, at which point many sides would have folded but not this Harwich side who showed true character as they kept their shape and continued to play expansive rugby. The big forwards Oli Bray, Guy Harris, Mark Sanders-Crook, Rob Nichol, Michael Green and Ian Woodward imposed their presence as the territorial advantage was going the way of the home side and it wasn’t long before Gareth Richardson crashed over the line from short range for a converted try.

Keen to keep the momentum going Harwich introduced fresh legs in the guise of Craig Bennett, Dan Farrington and Adam Eldridge all of whom made an instant impact on the game, with both Farrington and Eldridge coming close to a try of their own only to be stopped short of the line. Harwich did add another try towards the end of the game having secured scrum ball David Parkin Picking up at No.8 spreading the ball wide through Eldridge for Hawkins to touch down, Eldridge converted.

Captain Oli Bray was proud of his team efforts and the character shown again and is confident the result will come with time; the team have a week off to lick their wounds and make preparations for future games.

Report by Andy Bray

Match details

Match date

Sat 01 Nov 2014

Kickoff

14:30

Competition

Eastern Counties Greene King Division Three South
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