HARWICH and Dovercourt's second team had an abandoned game at Essex University, in Eastern Counties League division three south on Saturday.

With the score 27–22 to the hosts, proceedings were brought to an abrupt halt following an injury to one of the University players.

He was unable to be moved from the field of play as he received treatment and, with no other pitch available, the game was stopped, with both teams and the match official agreeing to abandon the game.

It will now be rescheduled for a later date.

Harwich welcomed Jamie Petersen follow a long stint out through injury, together with Ross Elmore, Josh Eldridge, Danny Horrigan, Justin London, Paul Miller, James Shingler and last-minute debutant Owen Cowley.

It seemed an aged before the deadlock was broken, when Lewis Kerley powered his way over the line for an unconverted try on 20 minutes.

University went down to 14 men after receiving a yellow card but they still forged ahead, first with a converted penalty followed by two converted tries.

Harwich recovered and replied with a pushover try from the hosts' own 22.

Number eight Rob Nicoll grounded the ball.

University scored another individual effort down the wing for a converted try.

Harwich were soon dealt a cruel blow as the home side were unable to field a front row, resulting in uncontested scrums for the remainder of the game, taking away their forwards' dominance.

However, surprisingly, this proved the catalyst for a resurgence as the visitors turned up the intensity as their forwards and backs combined to physically dominate the park and produce two top-draw tries from full-back Ross Elmore and Mike Cowley.

Kerley added a conversion before the contest had to unfortunately be abandoned.

Man-of-the match for Harwich was young Jamal Schut, who continues to mature into the adult game, punching well above his slight frame.