HARWICH and Dovercourt Rugby Club secured a 39-27 victory at home to Kings Cross Steelers, in the Essex League Shield.

Both sides started well, testing each other's defences.

Working their way into the Harwich half, the Steelers moved the ball across the field.

A couple of poor tackles gave them the breakthrough they needed to score the opening try, which was converted.

Harwich responded almost immediately with good running rugby, forcing their way into the opposition half.

Bursting through the defensive line, second row Kyran Green made it over for a try which flanker Damien Smith converted.

Another sweeping move from the backline sent winger Adam Palmer over for his first try of the match. Smith converted for a 14-7 lead.

The visitors put together a string of attacks, which resulted in an excellent try for their centre under the posts. The conversion was successful.

Continuing to pressure Harwich, the Steelers worked their way into the 22-metre area again, where they were awarded a penalty.

It was kicked successfully, giving them a 17-14 lead.

Playing good, expansive rugby saw the visitors again gain field position in their opponents' 22, where they broke through the covering defence to score another try.

Finishing the half strongly, Harwich created a chance for number eight Simon Palmer to force his way over the line. Smith missed the conversion.

Understanding the need to take control, the home side started the second half by forcing their way into the Steelers' 22-metre area.

However, losing possession of the ball gave the defence the opportunity to kick the ball downfield.

Catching the ball just inside his own half, winger Sam Jewell provided a lovely pass to fellow winger Palmer.

He beat the first defender on the outside, before outpacing the covering defence with his explosive speed.

Palmer dived into the corner to score a wonderful try and then, from a long way out and a difficult angle, Smith made the conversion look easy, making the score 26-22.

Continuing to pressure their opposition, Harwich were soon in an attacking position again, creating all sorts of problems for the Steelers.

This resulted in a couple of yellow cards being brandished, for continued infringements in the red zone.

Defensively the Steelers really stepped up and prevented their hosts gaining any further advantage.

However, following some good interplay down the left, centre Owen Cowley galloped over for a fine try. The conversion was missed.

Protecting the ball and passing through the hands, Harwich showed some of the form they displayed last week, earning a penalty for Smith to kick and extend their lead to 34-22.

A flowing move then gave man-of-the-match Palmer his hat-trick of tries, before Kings Cross scored the last try of the game to make the final score 37-29.

Harwich's first team are next in action at Dagenham on March 25.