Old Colfeians 24 Harlow 7

(London League division one)

A DISMAL start saw Harlow well beaten by Old Colfeians on Saturday.

The Rams conceded two early tries and poor discipline saw them give away a further 12 points from easily kickable penalties.

And though the men from Rams Gorse switched on after their appalling opening 25 minutes, the 24-point deficit was always too big a margin to overhaul.

The final 15 minutes of the first period saw Harlow begin to get a grip on the game and enjoy the greater share of possession and the early exchanges of the second half followed the same pattern.

But the well drilled home defence stood firm and were also able to call on a solid pack who denied Harlow the necessary momentum to get points on the board.

Harlow's backs were too often forced to attack from static positions and though there were several half breaks by the vistors the Old Boys always found the extra man when it mattered.

Centre Rhys Loveday went close on a number of occasions as the Rams camped in the home half but when the try finally came it was from a sparkling breakaway move.

Captain Lee Harron saw a half-gap and slipped a tackle as he sprinted to the halfway line. The scrum half then put in a brilliant cross kick which travelled 40 yards and into space for Lee Smith on the opposite wing.

Smith raced through, took the ball on a difficult bounce, neatly sidestepped a defender and just about made the line. Peter Harries converted.

In the closing stages Harlow had a half chance when Zane Ansell made a break and put in a grubber kick which Morgan couldn't quite capitalise on.

Two Harries penalties also set up excellent lineout position but the home defence held firm to take the points.

On Saturday, Harlow are away to Cambridge for their last league match of the season. A win would see them finish fourth, while defeat would drop them down to sixth.