HARWICH and Dovercourt Rugby Club coach Shane Manning believes his team can compete at a higher level – as they proved in their narrow Suffolk Cup defeat at Southwold.

The Low Road side bowed out at the quarter-final stage after losing 24-13, on Saturday.

However, Manning was proud and delighted with his players’ performance, against opposition two levels higher in the rugby pyramid.

And he says it showed what they are capable of, if they keep producing such high standards.

“Despite the loss, I was very proud of the guys’ effort,” said Manning.

“To front up to a big, physical side, who play two leagues above, takes a lot of heart.

“Southwold weren’t expecting us to play like we did.

“In the end, their experience was the difference between the sides.

“However, the boys can be extremely proud of their efforts and they showed what they’re capable of.

“Our scrum did a fantastic job against a much heavier pack and had the upper hand a lot of the time.

“Our front five did a fantastic job and Paul Sewell and George Woodley, in particular, were great at scrum-time.

“Sam Male directed us around the pitch well in trying conditions and Elliot Hawkins continued his great first half to the season with some great defending and solid runs.”

Harwich return to Eastern Counties League division two south action tomorrow, with a trip to Felixstowe.

They will be looking for their first victory of 2016.

And Manning hopes his side can take last week’s encouraging display into their league programme.

“Hopefully we can put some great performances in,” he said.

“Saturday’s game showed the lads what level we could and should be playing at and, with more consistency at training and during games, along with more players making themselves available, it’s very achievable.

“If we’re able to replicate that performance in our remaining league fixtures, we’ll be extremely difficult to beat.”