2nd XV
Matches
Sat 31 Jan 2015  ·  Eastern Counties Greene King Division Three South
Thurston 2
12
28
H & D RUFC
2nd XV
Harwich 2s battle to away win at Thurston

Harwich 2s battle to away win at Thurston

Simon Woodley4 Feb 2015 - 10:02
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All credit must go this week to the commitment of players from both teams and the match official all of who endured chilling temperatures and snow.

The poor weather conditions dictated the play as both sides struggled to find momentum in their games and with cold hands there was plenty of balls spilled creating sometime frantic passages of play but plenty of opportunity for turn over ball.

Harwich adapted the better of the teams to keep the majority of possession giving them territorial advantages which soon lead to Man of the Match Jon Skargon scoring the first try of the game taking the perfect line to cut through the defence to ground the ball.

The visitors continued to apply pressure but were forced to make changes after losing Eddie Mayhew to injury missing his evasive running but the team regrouped securing two further tries from Sean Mills Snr. and Simon Keen before the interval despite being reduced to fourteen men when full Back Nick Faliveno was shown the yellow card.

Following a quick warm in the club house both teamed emerged to resume the game with the Thurston centres attacking the Harwich defence with real purpose the balance of power seemed to be shifting as the home side clawed their way back into the game with two tries without reply as they demonstrated a new confidence.

Whilst Harwich defended well there was a string of infringements which was disrupting their play as they struggled to regain the advantage but they continued to play with belief as they started to string phases of play together producing some strong individual performances the Harwich pack of Richard Smith, Grant Rayner, Oliver Bray, Richard Wood, Jon Skargon Sean Mills, Simon Pitham, Rob Nicoll, Rob Kemp, Eddie Mayhew Shane Manning and Rob Wood all worked tirelessly throughout there stints in the heavy conditions with a high number of strength sapping scrums they still managed to cover the park effectively in both attack and defence giving a solid platform for the backs who themselves put in an equally committed performance.

Harwich did create a further try to close out the game when Sam Male demonstrated his pace and evasive running skills to score and increase his points tally for the day having converted all four tries for the visitors
Harwich man of the match was a close decision and whilst Rob Kemp’s performance didn’t go un-noticed it was the newcomer Jon Skargon who was awarded the accolade.

Whilst the final result was much closer than the teams earlier encounter in the season it was a well-deserved win for the Harwich & Dovercourt second string who strengthen their position at the top end of the league table.

This week Harwich & Dovercourt II’s are at home to Stowmarket at the Low Road ground.

Report by Andy Bray

Match details

Match date

Sat 31 Jan 2015

Kickoff

14:00

Competition

Eastern Counties Greene King Division Three South
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