Harlow 38, Thurrock 40

THURROCK emerged from their London & SE Division Regional 2 Anglia season opener at Harlow victorious after a high-scoring encounter that went right down to the wire.

It didn't take long for Thurrock to get their first points on the board, Kodie Holloway sneaking in on the blind side after a throw-in close to the try line and stretching to touch down. Shea Cotter was wide with the conversion from out wide but he was on target seven minutes later after Holloway crashed through the Harlow defensive line and touched down with a spectacular dive.

Harlow responded with their first score eight minutes when Dale Stalley was on hand to finish off a flowing passing move. The try was converted with a fine strike from Liam Batty to make it 12-7 to the visitors but the away lead was extended again with a couple of minutes when Sonny Gay showed pace and an evasive shrug off to race through and score. Cotter scuffed his conversion attempt from in front of the posts wide of the target.

Adam Nnochiri showed his pace out wide to grab Harlow's second try in the 27th minute, but this time Batty's well-struck kick drifted left of the posts.

On the half hour Jake Barrand kept the scoreboard ticking over with a penalty struck home from distance and five more points were added at the other end four minutes later when Harlow made the most of an advantage played after a high tackle to whip the ball along the line and get it down for a try in the corner. Batty produced another fine conversion to make it 20-19 in Thurrock's favour.

Straight from the restart Harlow committed an infringement when trying to return the ball, giving Barrand the chance to successfully add three more and as the half entered added time he got the chance to add three more with a penalty after Harlow again offended in an area of close contact.

The visitors will have been well pleased to go into the break 26-19 ahead.

Watch the match in full via this link.

Thurrock made several changes of personnel at half time and the lead was extended just 150 seconds into the second half when Harlow won a ball from their own scrum but eagle-eyed Holloway anticipated a pass and intercepted to run in unchallenged from around 20 yards for his third try of the afternoon. Barrand thumped home the conversion.

The end-to-end action continued when Harlow caught Thurrock napping by taking a kick tap penalty and Brad Etherington stormed through to touch down. Batty converted.

A spell of defensive resilience at both ends followed but Harlow eventually broke the deadlock with 14 minutes remaining when Charlie kettle showed blistering pace to step inside his marker and breach the backline, racing through to score out wide. Batty had the chance to level the scoreline but his kick curled just outside the left post.

Harlow were clearly revitalised and repeatedly pushed Thurrock onto the backfoot.

However, the visitors' defence was solid and they kept Harlow at bay. as the match moved beyond the 80 minute mark Thurrock managed to exert pressure on the home line, winning a penalty but Barrand's boot was errant for once.

But Thurrock pushed forward again and in the fourth minute of extended play Harry Reynolds was found with plenty of space to run into and he duly touched down. Barrand added the extras and Thurrock looked home and hosed.

Yet there was still time for another score. Thurrock were again guilty of dozing when Harlow took a quick penalty and, in the eighth additional minute Stalley again showed his strength, bursting through a lax defensive line. Batty knocked over the conversion, but as he turned away from the tee the referee brought matter to a close and Thurrock had a league win to their name at the first time of asking.

And Thurrock's seconds made it a day of double success at Latton Park, winning their Group 1 Automotive Essex Merit League Division One clash with Harlow seconds 27–17.

Thurrock T-Birds kick off their Championship South campaign at Bath on Sunday (27 September).

Next weekend Thurrock First are at home to Cheshunt, while the seconds entertain Pegasus Palmerians in a local derby.