HARWICH and Dovercourt Rugby Club lost 27-14 in their top-of-the-table Essex League Shield clash at Bancroft.

The first try was scored by the home team, whose forwards were very physical and challenged their visitors in every aspect of the game.

This led to the first five-pointer of the day, which was converted.

Harwich responded well, going through the phases, keeping possession and exerting pressure.

Their forwards were working well and one of their top performers, prop Harley Hema, smashed through several defenders to get over the line.

Goal-kicker Damien Smith made the conversion look easy, bringing the scores level.

Unfortunately for Harwich, they were then put under pressure as their hosts took the game to them through their strong forwards.

A penalty was given and converted, giving Bancroft a 10-7 lead.

Bouncing back, the visitors went on the attack again, getting over the line through hooker Jack Cairns.

However, he was unable to ground the ball, being held up.

Energised by this partial success, Harwich kept the pressure on and it was not long before full-back Adam Eldridge, back from his university studies for the weekend, made it over for a try.

Smith slotted the conversion, putting Harwich ahead.

Bancroft again applied pressure, resulting in influential fly-half Sean Mills being sinbinned for a high tackle.

The penalty was kicked, meaning Harwich led 14-13 at half-time.

The second half started with the home team piling on the pressure against the 14 men of Harwich.

Finding gaps in the defence, Bancroft scored an early try, which was converted, giving them the lead.

Harwich tried to rally but found stiff resistance from their hosts.

Even with the return of Mills, who worked tirelessly to steer his team around the park, the visitors could not find the space and support to finish off their moves.

Following a well-constructed attack, winger Adam Palmer was able to get the ball over the line but it was knocked out of his hand before he could ground it, so the chance went begging.

This was the closest Harwich got to scoring in the second half.

At the other end, their hosts were able to mount a successful attack, scoring the bonus-point try, which they converted.

Harwich have no game tomorrow but are at home to Pegasus Palmerians next Saturday.