Weather – Mild, bright day

Harlow Team was made up of a mix of U11 and U12’s.

Braintree won the toss with Jordan Caulfield making the first impact with an excellent pass down the line. Braintree was then awarded a scrum after Harlow knocked the ball on.

Harlow’s bigger pack overwhelmed Braintree, Harlow moved the ball well and made space for a try in the fifth minute plus conversion.

Will Turner & Alex Wardrop defended well and took the opportunity to take possession of the ball, but only for a brief spell as Harlow’s dominant force (mainly due to their size & age) drove the ball to the Braintree, Braintree with all their skill and determination held Harlow to a scrum on the 5 metre line. Unfortunately; it was only time before the power of the Harlow pack took the ball over the line for a second try and conversion in the 8th minute.

Harlow maintained the pressure with Braintree showing signs of tiredness as their work rate began to slow. Both Alex Wardrop and Henry Williams worked to win the ball with great tackles.

The third try and conversion for Harlow came in the 10th minute despite Jordan Caulfield and Jarryd Fouche made it difficult for them; Harlow began to sit back and make some silly errors with a knock on, but in the closing minutes of the first half Harlow secured their fourth try and conversion.

Braintree commenced the second half with new vigour with Jake McEwen catching the ball and driving it through to Harlow’s 5 metre line with the full support of Henry Williams and Alex Wardrop.

Harlow retook position of the ball and made a run for the half way line only to be intercepted by Jordan Caulfield with a strong committed tackle. Braintree were awarded a scrum down for a knock on, Braintree held Harlow’s scrum and won the ball.

The forwards were beginning to show signs of determination to drive the ball to Harlow’s touch line. The ball was passed down to Samuel Wilson who presented the ball well to Charlie Salmon who intercepted and sets Alex Wardrop a position to score Braintree’s first try and converted by Jordan Caulfield; within a few minutes Harlow had retaliated with their fifth try and conversion.

It was at this point that Alex Barltrop was substituted for Matt Oakley; Matt made a very good start with Jordan Caulfield to secure a line out on the half way line.

Braintree won the ball but unfortunately they were given a penalty for a knock on, it was a scrum down with Braintree forwards showing great determination to win the ball and drive it onto Harlow’s 5 metre line.

Braintree players now fired up, produced good support work in endeavouring to stop Harlow taking the ball to their try line. A line out was awarded 7 metres from Braintree’s try line and was won by Harlow. Tackles came from Jarryd Fouche, Henry Williams and Will Turner. Jordan found the ball and kicked from the Braintree try line to the Harlow 7 metre line and chased it down putting a fully committed tackle. Braintree held Harlow on the 5 metre line with a scrum down with the ball coming out to Jordan Caulfield who takes the ball over the line for a try and converted by Jarryd Fouche.

Harlow kicked to start with the ball being caught well by Braintree which went to the ground just before the full time whistle.

Summary of Braintree Try’s:

Alex Wardrop 1 Try
Jordan Caulfield 1 Try
Jordan Caulfield 1 Conversion
Jarryd Fouche 1 Conversion

Man of the match: Jordan Caulfield

An excellent all round effort from the team against the Harlow’s under 12’s / 11’s. To win the second half 14 – 7 was a superb turn around.