Harlow Colts 2023/24 - Brentwood
Sunday 28th November 2021 –Harlow u16s 45 Brentwood 48: Friendly
This fixture was against one of the top sides in Essex and we were looking forward to a cracking game on a sunny but very cold morning.
With so many tries today and a total of 93 points, this report really focuses on those tries, but some great performances from many players.
A little bit of to and fro to start off today before a Brentwood player broke through a few loose tackles to touch down which was converted 0-7.
Harlow were a little guilty of giving Brentwood too much time and not pressurising their attacking line. When we did Montelle seized on a loose ball and sprinted away to score his first, and Joseph Pankhurst converted 7-7.
Brentwood had a little purple patch scoring a couple of tries through some power plays and raced to a 7-26 lead.
Harlow responded well before half time with and great move from left to right across the pitch putting Kai Young in space to open up and outpace the defence. Joseph Pankhurst converted 14-26.
Jamie Oliver barged his way over and again Joseph Pankhurst converted taking the score to 21-26 just at half time.
Half time 21 – 26.
The half time team talk reflected that when we pressurised Brentwood they made mistakes and there would be opportunities. Brandon Jackson had replaced Alfie Dutnall and Atakan Alagoz had replaced Gabe Greaves in the later part of the half with Tobie Westbrook replacing Owen Eynon at half time.
Straight after the break Brentwood wanted to extend their lead and were working the ball from left to right. Montelle Levy read the play and intercepted sprinting to score under the posts which was converted by Joseph Pankhurst and Harlow were in the lead for the first time in the match 28-26.
Harlow then attacked left and switched the play to the right, Joseph Pankurst kicked wide to Kai Young who leapt high to catch offloading to Jamie Oliver who scored the second of the match. 33-26.
Brentwood responded out wide on the left which was converted to level the scores at 33-33. We were watching an entertaining game of rugby with the swing of momentum shifting from one team to another and back again. From a tap penalty Brentwood scored again and it’s 33-38.
Digging deep Harlow kept playing and looked to up the tempo. From good line out taken by Corey Kelman and played Jack Rushworth at scrum half to Joseph Pankurst at 10 Owen Eynon back on at 12 for the injured but had been magnificent Jamie Oliver, put in a pass to a marauding Henry Stovell smashing through the Brentwood defence, a pass to Kai Young who scored out wide the try of the day. 38-38.
Full of energy the team put the Brentwood scrum under pressure allowing Jack Rushworth at scrum half put their scrum half under pressure and regained the ball. The defence in disarray allowed simple hands out to Montelle Levy who out paced the defence on the outside to touch down. Joseph Pankhurst converted, and Harlow had a 45-38 lead with little time on the clock.
Brentwood were not to be outdone and they cleverly used their handling skills to put their big man into a bit of space where he took advantage and scored out wide. 45-43.
In the last play of the game Harlow gave away a penalty for hands in the ruck, Brentwood kicked to the corner and then drove the ball over the line, 45-48 and the final whistle.
A fine entertaining game today from two teams who wanted to play some rugby. The Harlow players needed to dig deep working hard for each other today. They dug in and we are very proud of them.
Great games this week from several players however a special mentions for Henry Stovell running some great lines and tireless in defence, Ed Lea, Gabe Greaves and Danny Billington all put in work horse performances.
Final Score 45 – 48
Next week Harlow Under 16s will play Thurrock at home in a return to league action. Thank you to Jack Rushworth for washing the shirts this week.
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Tries: Montelle Levy (3), Kai Young (2), Jamie Oliver (2)
Conversions: Joseph Pankhurst (5)
Penalties: None
Referee: Dan Ricketts, Harlow Club Referee
Team
1.Joseph Williams, 2. Danny Billington, 3. Gabe Greaves, 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. Jamie Oliver, 13. Henry Stovell, 14. Kai Young, 15. Owen Eynon, 16. Atakan Alagoz, 17. Brandon Jackson, 18. Tobie Westbrook. All players played half a game.
