Under 16
Matches
Sun 03 Sep 2017
Thurrock RFC
Under 16
25
12
Harlow RFC
Thurrock v Harlow

Thurrock v Harlow

Jimmy Ray5 Sep 2017 - 11:03
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https://www.thurrockrfc.com/te

T's Up And Running

Thurrock welcomed Harlow to Oakfield on Sunday with the first of the pre-season warm up matches. The T's have worked hard on their summer pre-season fitness, so they were keen to get some valuable game time under their belts. In addition to this, we have been fortunate to have some new players join the team creating good strength in depth within the squad and a good chance for them to show what they can do.

Harlow are renowned for having a big strong set of forwards which we knew from previous experience they were going to be a very competitive. So our game plain for this match was designed to counteract and use the width of the pitch, however this fell short within the first minute of the match when Harlow intercepted a pass within our 22 and crossed over the line but unfortunately for them not able to convert on this occasion.

Thurrock 0 Harlow 5

Harlow retained possession of the ball for a further 5-10 minutes which understandably frustrated the T's.However slightly stunned by this, Thurrock responded well with some good counter rucking and turn over's from Eaun, Joeseph, and Will which earned them their own possession. We were awarded a penalty in the Harlow 22 which Harry Milsom put the ball out for our line out on their 5m line. This resulted in a second penalty awarded for the T's which was taken quickly and with some good slight of hands from the lads, put Jake Holland into a great position which he didn't disappoint and leveled the scores. Unfortunately for the T's this was not converted.

Thurrock 5 Harlow 5

For the next 10 minutes, both teams had good spells of attacking equally met with some good defense however, once again Harlow had pressed Thurrock onto their own try line but and Harlow would of capitalised if it wasn't for Jake Holland getting his hands under the ball preventing the try. Now with the scrum on Thurrock's 5m now in Thurrock possession, we were able to move up to our 22m line then following a penalty awarded to the T's a quick tap and go found the ball in Tommy Ray's hands who broke out of our 22 and with some quick feet, wrong footed the defenders and was able to cross the Harlow try line. Unfortunately for the T's this was not converted.

Thurrock 10 Harlow 5

Half Time

Within the first 5 minutes of the second half both teams had some opportunities with the ball but it was the T's who were able to make better use of the possession with an outstanding run from Jamie who used his strength to shrug off the defenders which pushed the home team up towards the Harlow 22 and with some good hands put Harry Tomlinson into space and was able to cross the Harlow line for our third try. Unfortunately for the T's this was not converted.

Thurrock 15 Harlow 5.

Harlow came straight out of the blocks at the restart and forced Thurrock into the 5m line and the best that the T's could do was to move up to their 22m line. Harlow continued with the onslaught of pressure and only with some good cover tackling from Liam and Kudzii prevented a Harlow try. Thurrock were eventually able to break out with a good link up with the backs and forwards getting them back to the halfway line. But with continued determination Harlow again pressured Thurrock back into their 22 and with some good phases of play, crossed the line and went on to convert the extra points.

Thurrock 15 Harlow 12.

Thurrock immediately struck back with again with a good run from Jamie who linked up with Emmanuel and with good handling in the backs got the ball to Harry Crellin with his extendable arm touched the ball over the line. Unfortunately for the T's this was not converted.

Thurrock 20 Harlow 12.

Immediately from the restart, Thurrock continued pressurising Harlow and forced a Harlow into their 5m line with a line out this resulted in a great steal from Finlay who was able to cross over the line for the fifth and final try of the match and guess what? Yes you got it, unfortunately for the T's this was not converted.

Final score Thurrock 25 Harlow 12.

As expected a little rusty and plenty of work to do still, however lots of positives to take away and great work from ALL the lads.

This weeks man of the match goes to Connan as he had an awful lot of pressure on him especially as he was in a fundamental position today and new to the club was naturally added pressure. He came up trumps. Well done mate.

Match details

Match date

Sun 03 Sep 2017

Kickoff

11:00
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Under 14 Sponsor - Oakray