BURNHAM-ON-CROUCH 0

HARWICH AND DOVERCOURT 61

Essex League division 1B

HARWICH got back in action with a convincing win at Burnham.

After an enforced break, they took a while to settle into any rhythm and play their flowing rugby.

However, when it happened they were good.

A fantastic move involving both backs and forwards got the ball into Sean Mills junior's hands and the centre touched down under the posts, giving Craig Wilson a simple conversion.

This gave the visitors the confidence to run the ball with intent, which provided a fine try for Kyran Green. Again, Wilson converted.

From the kick-off, Harwich found holes in the Burnham defence and flooded through, giving the deceptively-paced George Brunning the opportunity to race over the line and score.

Wilson, into a bit of a groove, slotted the conversion.

With both the scrum and lineout working to their advantage, Harwich produced some excellent attacking rugby.

With a ruck close to the opposition line, Rob Kemp picked and crashed over for the next try and Wilson converted.

A suspected pulled hamstring to Mills enforced a change in the centres, with Elliott Hawken taking the field.

Another foray into Burnham’s half saw the ball passed out to Wilson.

The powerful winger showed he was not on the pitch just for his kicking ability and, with a great turn of pace, he touched down near the corner.

Despite the difficult angle and distance, Wilson smashed the conversion over to make the half-time score 35-0.

The second half did not go all Harwich’s way, as Burnham got their hands on the ball and put pressure on the visitors' defence.

However, some great tackling and organisation prevented the home team scoring.

Meanwhile, Harwich kept the scoreboard ticking over with second tries for Kemp and Brunning.

Wilson converted Kemp’s try but just missed after Brunning's surging effort.

Full-back Adam Palmer outpaced the home defence with a great turn of speed to score and Wilson converted.

Winger Rob Page, who had put his body on the line several times to make some excellent tackles, then got an opportunity to show why he plays on the wing and a fantastic run down the touchline earned him the final try of the match.

The conversion was kicked by young Lewis Williams, who had controlled the game well from stand off, instigating some fine attacking rugby and keeping his team moving forward with some great tactical kicking.

There must also be a mention for the tireless work of captain Josh Leeks, who grovelled, cajoled and bribed his way into getting a team out this week and led the forwards by example in a man-of-the-match performance.

Tomorrow, Harwich play at home in their re-arranged cup match against Dagenham.