HARWICH AND DOVERCOURT 43

DAGENHAM 10

Essex Cup

HARWICH moved into the next round after winning this rearranged match against Dagenham, at Low Road.

Starting well, the home side put their visitors under pressure and played the game at the right end of the pitch.

With the forwards winning more than their share of the ball and the backs moving it through the hands, things were looking good after the initial exchanges.

Following a good lineout, the ball was spun out wide where full-back Adam Palmer accelerated into the back line and galloped over to score.

Within a few minutes, Palmer repeated the feat but on the other side of the pitch to score his second.

Fly-half Craig Wilson improved this second try, having failed with the first attempt.

Unfortunately, Harwich took their foot off the pedal and Dagenham made them pay with a try of their own through their forwards.

A good contest ensued for a while as both teams struggled to get on top.

Kiwi prop forward Harley Hema ran a good line from 30 metres out and found himself clean through, being chased down by the Dagenham defence. Despite being tackled just short of the line, his momentum took him over for a good try and Wilson converted.

The half ended with Dagenham creating a good overlap down their right wing and scoring another unconverted try, making the half-time score 19-10 to Harwich.

The hosts started the second half brightly, trying to retain possession of the ball in contact.

They began to put pressure on their visitors, leading to an overlap of their own which Palmer exploited, scoring his hat-trick.

Kyle Hutchins had replaced Wilson at half-time but failed with the conversion.

Harwich seized control of the game and, following some excellent ball-carrying, big brother Simon Palmer scored the next try which was unconverted. After more good work from the forwards, Palmer again outpaced the defence to score his fourth try of the match.

Shaun Fox, making a rare appearance, slotted over the conversion.

Dagenham, with some good possession, put Harwich under pressure, but the ball was spilled to the floor.

Outstanding wing forward Gareth Sanders-Crook was the first to it and set off on a fantastic 70-metre run which saw him outpace the Dagenham defence down the middle of the pitch.

The conversion was simple for Fox as a result and the final score was 43-10.

Harwich return to league action at home to Tendring neighbours Clacton on Saturday.

Harwich are third in the table and Clacton fourth.