HARLOW RFC narrowly missed out on the points as they lost 11-10 away to Haywards Heath on Saturday.

The Rams took an early lead as a break by Loveday at centre took play into the opposition half. From the ruck that followed, Harron put a kick over for Smith to gather. Richard May, cutting inside, took the pass and sprinted in under the posts. Esterhuyse converted for a 7-0 lead to Harlow.

Minutes later, Heath cut the margin with a penalty and then went ahead with an unconverted try, making the score 8-7 at half time.

With five minutes to go, Esterhuyse kicked a penalty for Harlow which hit the upright and scrapped over for a 10-8 lead.

But just as the Harlow fans were beginning to celebrate, their team was penalised close to halfway. With the clock running down, Heath decided to go for goal.

The kick would have gone over, but Eynon blocked it with an assisted jump. The ball went forward from the ensuing scrum in front of the posts and Heath laid the ball back to their fly-half for a drop goal and a one point win.

The Harlow third development squad met a well-drilled Hitchin seconds side and lost 31-8.

Harlow firsts are at home to in-form Norwich on Saturday.

The under-17s are still searching for their first win of the season after losing 20-7 at Hertford on Sunday. Their try came from full-back Alistair Phillips and was converted by Ian Bate.

The under-16s, fielding and understrength team, defended with spirit against Hertford but lost 32-0.

The under-15s took on the same opposition at Ram Gorse and lost 20-12.

Flanker Tom Smith scored his first try for the club. Wayne Heapy also crossed the line for a try converted by Martin O'Dell.

But their was good news for the under-14s, who avoided a clean-sweep of defeats for the club by beating Barking 29-5.

Centre Seamus O'Brien and wing Tony Melville-Taylor both scored two tries and Adam Smith got one. Skipper Charlie Kavanagh put over two conversions.

This Sunday, four of Harlow's junior teams are in action at Ram Gorse with kick-offs at 11am.

The under-13s face Shelford, the under-15s play Hemel Hempstead, the under-16s face Woodford and the under-17s take on Saffron Walden. The under-14s visit Shelford.