Witham 00 H&D 64

With the late call off by Burnham on Crouch rugby last Saturday, Harwich Rugby drove to Witham with great expectations

The game started well with H & D winning the early exchanges. With several travelling supporters it was not long before a big cheer went up. Front row forward, Rob ‘Womble’ Wood, benefitted from good build up play to make it over the line for the opening try. Full back Sam Male slotted the conversion for a 0 - 7 lead.

With the forwards scrummaging very well Harwich dominated possession and kept to their structure so it wasn’t long before they were over the line again. First team skipper George Brunning galloped over the try after taking a fantastic off load from back row partner Josh Edwards. Male was again good with the extras. 0 - 14. Sensing there were points available the backs went through some good phases of play, leaving centre Alex Cullen an easy run in to score a five pointer. 0 - 19. Sam Male had a kicking malfunction with the relatively easy conversion. Winger Adam Eldridge was the recipient of some hard running expansive back play scoring a try in the corner. The difficult conversion was missed. With the half coming to a close Harwich made a good touch kick, putting Witham under pressure in their own 22-metre area. Outstanding lineout play saw the ball moved quickly out to the centres where Cullen again crashed over the line for his second try of the match. Male improved the try leaving the half time score, Witham 0 - Harwich & Dovercourt 31.

With the second half underway it was not long before Lewis Kerley, making his first 1st XV start, stepped inside the cover defence and dived over for a try. The conversion was missed. Not to be outdone it was not long before the forwards were able to catch and drive from a line out giving Rob Wood the simplest of touchdowns for a brace of tries. Male converted. During this period the visitors unfortunately wasted some good possession when they should have improved the scoring board. However man of the match, coach Alex Cullen, was again the benefactor of good back play, scoring his hat trick try which Male converted. With the game moving into the last quarter, winger Adam Palmer received the ball just inside his own half. He set off on a mazy run, handing or bumping off would be tacklers as he made his way to within 10 metres of the try line, where he was eventually tackled. Some great support from hooker Jack Cairns saw him dive over the line for the try which Male converted. With time running out it was Male himself who scored and converted the last try of the game. Final score Witham 0 - Harwich & Dovercourt 64. Replacement winger Sam Jewell who took to the field to replace the injured Eldridge stated, “ After the frustration of not playing last week, it was good to get out there again and see some of the hard work from training bear fruit on the pitch. We’re all buzzing now to go again in the cup next week!”

Next week Harwich & Dovercourt rugby club entertain Beccles in a national cup competition, the Junior Vase, with the kick off at 2.30pm, so come and support your local team.

Report by Jim Hayter