Harlow Colts 2023/24 - Bishop's Stortford

Sunday 24th April 2022 –Bishop’s Stortford 52 Harlow u16s 14 – Friendly It has been an age since this team has met Bishop’s Stortford so when it was arranged there was great excitement between the teams as many of the players had been goading each other at school as to who was the better team. The plan was to play all fit players so the Harlow team looked different in the first and second halves with a complete change in the forward pack! Bishop’s Stortford were also keen to play all their players and after the game they celebrate their season finale and held their end of season awards. The first half began with a bang. I high hanging kick was caught by Corey Kelman and he was well tackled spilling the ball. Stortford swarmed and quickly crossed the line. The try was converted 7-0. Harlow were a little shellshocked and despite the line speed Stortford moved the ball wide to score a converted try. 14-0. The next Stortford try came from a line our moved wide then a pick and go. 19-0. Harlow were now waking up from a slow start at played some good rugby moving the ball nicely and making many mini line breaks. Both teams were playing some good cat and mouse rugby taking each other on. From an attack Stortford turned the ball over and kicked long. In the foot race for the ball Stortford just managed to ground the loose ball. 26-0. Harlow spend the last part of the half camped in the Stortford twenty two. Being held up over the line twice. The from a penalty Atakan Alagoz hit the ball shifting at pace and bulldozed his way over the line to score his first Harlow try. Converted by Joseph Pankhurst 26-7. Half time 26 – 7. The half time team talk reflected our need to control the ball from the line out and to shrimp instead of jack knife at the break down to stop Stortford coming round and stealing the ball. A number of changes were may for our second half team (see below), including a complete change of forwards pack. The second half began well with both teams pushing each other. Stortford scored from a drive and a good offloading game, the second was converted. 38-7. Harlow responded with a try of some class. Great hands from Freddie Thurley, Corey Kelman put Kai Young in some space where he went around the final defender to touch down by the posts. Converted by Joseph Pankhurst. 38-14. To more converted tries by Stortford completed the scoring one wide and one from a line out, both converted. 52-14. The final part of the game featured Harlow on the attack but not quite able to cross the line. Special mentions today to Jamiyu Yussif who went to hospital with a shoulder injury. We wish him all the best with his recovery. Stortford awarded back of the match to Montelle Levy which was accepted by his school friend Freddie Adams and forward of the match was given to Ben Ferrier. Harlow awarded Stortford back of the match to Olly Broughton and forward George Knight. Special mentions also to Tobie Westbrook for some great try saving tackles, Felix Waugh making some powerful hits. Freddie Thurley’s work rate and nice deft hands. Final Score 52 – 14 Next week to again take on Bishop’s Stortford along with touring side Carmarthen Quins and possibly Wanstead or Brentwood in a 3/4 way mini tournament. These will be the last games the players play together as part of the youth set up at Harlow before going into the Colts. Please make sure players update their availability for both training on Wednesday and next Sunday in SportMember. Work ons: starting strong. Defend together. Drink a lot of water and eat a lot of bananas to avoid cramp. Thank you to Owen Eynon for washing the shirts this week. Join our Facebook group for more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/harlowunder16s202122 Tries: Atakan Alqgoz, Kai Young Conversions: Joseph Pankhurst (2) Penalties: Not this week Referee: From Bishop’s Stortford 1st Half Team 1. Felix Waugh , 2. Charlie Jacques, 3. Gabe Greaves, 4. Brandon Jackson, 5. Corey Kelman, 6. Matt Macfarlane, 7. Alfie Dutnall, 8. Tolu Ajibabi, 9. Jack Rushworth, 10. Joseph Pankhurst, 11. Kai Young, 12. Ben Ferrier, 13. Henry Stovell, 14. Montelle Levy, 15. Tobie Westbrook 2nd Half Team 1. Joseph Williams, 2. Charlie Jacques, 3. Atakan Alqgoz, 4. Jamiyu Yussif, 5. Freddie Adams, 6. Ed Lea, 7. Fred Thurley, 8. Ben Ferrier, 9., Jack Rushworth, 10. Joseph Pankhurst, 11. Kai Young, 12. Henry Stovell, 13. Montelle Levy, 14. Jacob Heald, 15. Tobie Westbrook