Harlow Colts 2023/24 - Rochford

Sunday 20th March 2022 – Rochford u16s 17 Harlow u16s 24 – Final Essex Waterfall Cup We last met Rochford in the league in late January where Harlow ran out 48-7 winners, today was always going to be slightly different with this in the back of the players’ minds and it being the final Waterfall cup game of the season and a trophy up for grabs, and an 11am kick off for teenagers can be a challenge to be compos mentis at that time on a Sunday morning. Some illness withdrawals affecting the usual structure of the with Brandon Jackson, Fred Thurley, Gabe Greaves, Danny Billington all withdrawing from the squad since Friday and Jamiyu Yussif thought the game was at home so didn’t make the journey. The weather was bright and ideal for rugby running rugby. Harlow started playing into the sun with the first half began a little scrappy and end to end play, Montelle made a try saving tackle holding up they player over the line with a last gasp tackle. We then made a breakthrough from a scrum pick and go Tolu Ajibabi powered to the line with Alfie Dutnall dotting down scoring his first try of the season, if not of his Harlow career. 0-5. Jacob Heald replaced Kai Young while he received some treatment. Rochford bounced a back after dealing with a scrum where they were under pressure, they attacked hard and then scored out wide which was expertly converted 7-5. Another try saving tackle from Montelle who was now keeping Harlow in the game, this time his tackle over the line dislodged the ball from the players grasp just as the referee was about to award the try. The Harlow forwards we carrying the ball well at this point and with powerful drives for the line from Tolu Ajibabi and Atakan Alagoz this created some space which, with some sharp passing saw Kai Young scoring out wide 7-10. Half time 7 – 10. The half time team talk reflected our need to concentrate in defence up our work rate the rest will come. Jacob Heald replaced Tobie Westbrook, Freddie Adams replaced Alfie Dutnall. The second half began in a number of Rochford attacks, most of which were repelled by Harlow. Rochford scored wide. 12-10. Rochford kept the pressure on and from a clearance kick they found a little space and again scored in the wide channels 17-10. Harlow needed to regroup and find a rhythm to their play. From good line out ball Harlow moved the ball wide to Kai Young who stepped his way to the line for a second try. Joseph Pankhurst converted levelling the score with all to play for at 17-17. Harlows’ final try came from some energy sapping runs from the Harlow pack sucking in defenders. This gave a two on one wide of the left, Owen Eynon drew the man and passed cleanly to Montelle Levy who with the space was then able to cross the line and make his way under the posts for an easy conversion for Joseph Pankhurst. 17-24. Special mentions today to Montelle Levy who without his two try saving tackles over the line holding up and knocking the ball out of an opposition player’s hand his relentless desire not to give up. Our line out, ran by Corey Kelman was very effective in both winning our own ball and stealing much of Rochfords ball. Our scrum, even without changing the players during the game forwards put in a shift at scrum time led by our front row of Atakan Algoz, Felix Waugh and Joseph Williams. Our final Waterfall Cup game as part of the youth section at Harlow ended with a trophy! Final Score 17 – 24 Lessons we learn from the game. Arrive awake and ready to go, Chelmsford next week in out final league game will be a different challenge. With Harlow winning next week and Old Brentwoods losing at Thurrock the league title is still up for grabs! Next week we have our final league game of the season at home against Chelmsford. A win and an Old Brentwoods loss at Thurrock could see Harlow win Essex division two this season so there is all to play for at Latton Park next Sunday . Thank you to Ed Lea for washing the shirts this week. Please make sure players update their availability for both training on Wednesday and our game next Sunday in SportMember. Join our Facebook group for more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/harlowunder16s202122 Tries: Alfie Dutnall, Kai Young (2), Montelle Leve Conversions: Joseph Pankhurst (2) Penalties: Not this week Referee: Paul from Rochford Team 1. Joseph Williams, 2. Felix Waugh, 3. Atakan Alagoz, 4. Ed Lea, 5. Corey Kelman, 6. Matt MacFarlane, 7. Alfie Dutnall, 8. Tolu Ajibabi, 9. Jack Rushworth, 10. Joseph Pankhurst, 11. Montelle Levy, 12. Owen Eynon, 13. Henry Stovell, 14. Kai Young, 15. Tobie Westbrook, 16. Freddie Adams, 17. 17. Jacob Heald