The team welcomed old foes Harlow to Thurrock for what was always expected to be a good competitive close game if previous encounters where anything to go by.

From the whistle Harlow started the game strongly playing good flowing rugby putting Thurrock under pressure early not to concede a try. Unfortunately for Thurrock the pressure took its toll and Harlow scored a well executed try via the winger exploiting space out wide.
From the restart it was much of the same with Harlow driving Thurrock back towards their try line with strong carries by the forward pack and quick support play. The inevitable came again with another try scored from the space created out wide. As with the first conversion kick the second was unsuccessful.
After a team huddle beneath the posts, the Thurrock team appeared to wake up and finally come into the game. Strong defence applied pressure on Harlow, resulting in them conceding possession at the ruck. The forwards kicked into gear with a series of quick pick and go from the rucks with Caleb Farrell crashing over the try line, Conversions were proving difficult for both sides with George Bowden putting the kick just wide of the posts. Unfortunately the Thurrock resurgence was short lived as Harlow mounted wave after wave of attack and started to take control of the game, easy yards were being made in open play and their scrum was beginning to dominate often winning the ball from Thurrock's put in. Harlow went on to score a further 2 tries in the first half, again both conversion opportunities missed. On the stroke of half time Seth Benton put Centre Ben Wells into space with a perfectly timed pass, this allowed Thurrock to get over the gain line good support play from the forwards saw quick ball and Caleb Farrell again crashed over the line for Thurrock's second try. As was becoming the trend for both sides the conversion attempt by George Bowden was just wide of the uprights. Harlow finished the half the better with 4 tries to Thurrock's 2.
The half time message from the coaches was clear, play the systems, be attacking in defence and apply pressure in the spaces created.
The team talk had the right impact and the team began to execute the game plan, strong forwards carrying the ball into the Harlow defence creating space for the backs to attack. The first try of the half was in favour of Thurrock and the pressure they had applied, George Bowden fielded a clearance kick and set off on a counter attack out wide and over the try line.
From the Harlow restart Thurrock again went on the offensive, Seth Benton set off up field with Caleb Farrell and Valentino Wilshire in support. Slick hands between the 3 saw Valentino racing away down the touchline beating the defence to score under the posts, George Bowden undeterred stepped up to slot over the conversion - Thurrock were mounting a come back and the game was on with the scores now 22-25 in Harlow's favour. A lapse in concentration by Thurrock allowed Harlow to apply pressure scoring a quick try. Thurrock set back about business and pressure was mounting as the next try was surely looming for them with 5 minutes left to play and the score now 22-30 to Harlow. Unfortunately the game was brought to a stop with a nasty injury to one of Harlow's players, in order to provide the care needed the game was called with Harlow taking the honours this time around.
Plenty of positives for the team and areas to improve on the training ground.
Thankfully later in the evening the welcome news came that the injured player had been assessed at hospital, and was now home a little sore and bruised and the injury was not as serious as first looked.