HARLOW RFC progressed to the third round of the Intermediate Cup with a 22-11 win at Harrow on Saturday.

The Rams were quickly on the attack and opened the scoring when full-back Matt Howard burst into the line, splitting the defence open to touch down in the corner. His conversion was just short.

Harlow extended their lead with another good attacking move from the backs. This time it was winger Wayne Morgan who took the inside pass and just made the line.

A sliced clearance kick gave Harrow a lineout well inside the Harlow half and they grabbed the opportunity, their forwards driving over the line to cut the margin to 10-5.

The visitors were soon back on the attack and almost scored when Richard May came clear with the ball and passed to Simon Vanbeck, but the Harrow winger took out Vanbeck just yards short of the line.

In the closing minutes of the first half, a Harlow attack again saw Howard come into the line and again he left the defence standing. This time he was able to cut round to score under the posts and the conversion gave the Rams a 17-5 lead at half-time.

Harrow started the second half strongly and an early penalty saw them cut their arrears to 17-8.

But the visitors soon added another try and Harrow could only reply with a penalty to leave the final score 22-11.

Harlow's junior teams made it an excellent weekend for the club with some impressive results.

The under-17s thrashed Woodford 48-5 with full-back Alistair Phillips scoring a hat-trick of tries, Jason Murray getting two and Adam Spencer, Kris Laskowski and Ian Bate one each.

The under-14s beat the same opposition 39-0 with tries from Gary Chapman (two), Seamus O'Brien (two), Tony Melville-Taylor, Ross Barrs and Mark Clinton.

The under-15s suffered Harlow's only defeat, losing 20-5 to Woodford despite a try from Wayne Heapy.

The under-sevens won their age group category at the Harlow Mini Festival with victories over Basildon, Saffron Walden, Ilford, Chelmsford and Wendens Ambo.