Halstead started off strong, keen to impose their home advantage as they immediately went on the attack which didn’t faze the Harwich side as they kept their shape and bided their time soaking up the pressure as they played the waiting game, stand-off Joe Francis making the most of his boot with the sun in the home side eyes used the high ball to great effect regaining easy territorial advantage.

Whilst the visitors were able to mount counter attacks it was the final touch which was letting them down as they tried to force the game, despite very committed effort from both sides it wasn’t until thirty five minutes into the game before the dead lock was broken, Harwich’s James Cullen against the run of play hacked through on the loose ball deep in his own half all the way to the try line for a try, whilst not pretty it was points on the board, Craig Wilson Converted.

Start of the second half was all about Harwich keeping ball in hand they imposed their superiority, the pack dominated their opposite numbers all game raised their game to the next level drawing in the Halstead defence and created opening out wide for the back to exploit, winger Adam Palmer came close being stopped just short of the line, up stepped the forwards for the resulting scrum. Halstead securing the ball struggled to clear as Harwich drove them backwards resulting in the ball popping out the back for scrum Half Lloyd McPhee to pounce on to touch for the try which went un-converted.

With the forwards in command this provided the perfect platform for the centres to test the Halstead sides resolve out wide and it wasn’t long before the tries started coming, Adam Palmer showed his pace again out wide on the wing making a decisive break finally drawing the defence to leave Cullen in space to touch down under the post for Sam Jewell to convert.

As the game progressed Halstead were forced to pay the price for the mammoth effort of the first half as fatigue set in so did the gaps in the defence and with the Harwich backs full of running they didn’t need any invitation with Joe Francis in the No10 shirt showing his experience marshalling his backs which produced a slick display of inter passing laced strong running lines hitting the gaps which produced two further tries, the first by Sam Jewell as try scorer Cullen turned provided showing great strength and pace to break the defence before offloading to Jewel who also converted his own try.

The final try of the game was a great individual effort from Francis collecting the ball in his own half showed some light foot work dancing his way round would be tackles for a try under the posts for Wilson to convert.

Harwich where forced put in a workman like performance this week and whilst all the points came from the backs it was thanks to an impressive team performance and credit also has to go the young Halstead team who despite the score line had a go and gave a great account of themselves as they showed character and commitment in their performance.

Man of the Match was awarded to James Cullen following another impressive performance for the back who just can’t stop scoring this season.

This week Harwich have a rest this as they prepare for their final league game of the season when they will host second place Sudbury on 21st March at Low Road.

Harwich Squad: O Bray (Captain), R Smith, R Wood, M Sanders-Crook, R Woods, A Milne, S Pitham, S Mills, S Woodley, R Nicholl, M McPhee, J Francis, S Jewell, G Williams, J Cullen, T Fitch, C Wilson, A Palmer, I Woodward
Report by Andy Bray