Writtle 21 - 19 H&D

H&D travelled down to Writtle for their first game of the new rugby season.

H&D travelled down to Writtle for their first game of the new rugby season.

The game started brightly for both teams as they explored their opposition. Slowly the visitors began to get a foothold in their hosts half with the forwards working hard to secure possession. Following several phases of play the ball went out to the backs where it eventually ended up with centre Josh Jones. Full of running and using good footwork Jones got over the tryline to score the first try of the season for Harwich.
Unfortunately the conversion was missed by the usually reliable Adam Eldridge, playing at fullback.

This score gave Harwich some ascendancy and confidence,which they put to good use by again attacking in Writtle’s half. After some very good interplay man of the match Sean Mills, directing things from stand off, outpaced the covering defence to score under the posts, giving Eldridge an easy conversion and extending the lead to 0 - 12.

Writtle started to find some rhythm and began to look after the ball, gaining much needed territory. Harwich were penalised at the ruck, which was a problem at times, giving Writtle the much needed three points on the scoreboard. This score spurred the home team to look after the ball better and start using their strong running backs. As a result they scored a fine try out wide. The conversion was missed, leaving the score at half time Writtle 8 - Harwich & Dovercourt 12.

The second half started well initially for the visitors with some good attacks that were defended well by their hosts. At this point a no arms, shoulder hit by the captain on the day, Josh Leeks, saw him yellow carded and in the sin bin for ten minutes. This pivotal moment in the game was Harwich downfall, as Writtle pushed forward in attack and were awarded a penalty which they kicked. Writtle 11 - H & D 12.

Within a couple of minutes they exposed the Harwich defence again, this time scoring a well worked try out wide, giving them the lead 16 - 12. The conversion was missed. Leeks was restored to the team and initially things went well as Sean Mills again got over the line after some great running from the Harwich backs. Eldridge was back in the groove and kicked the extras, giving Harwich the lead 16 - 19.

Writtle however were not going to give up their home advantage and hit back through their own backs, scoring another try down the left out wide. The conversion was missed but they had the lead, 21 - 19, with only a few minutes left to play. Keeping the Harwich team in their own half and managing territory well Writtle saw out the game for the all important win.

Though Harwich lost it was a good performance and far brighter start to this season than the one they had last season.

Next week Harwich and Dovercourt have a tough home game against Stanford le Hope, a team that finished in the top four of their league last season. Get down to Swimming Pool Road to support your local rugby team, 3pm Kick off.

Report by Jim Hayter