Slideshow: Morgan try proves not enough for Harpenden
London Three North West Harpenden 5 Hammersmith & Fulham 12 HARPENDEN fell to defeat at Redbourn Lane on Saturday as they failed to convert pressure and territory into points against Hammersmith & Fulham. The hosts took to the field with a mostly first c
London Three North West
Harpenden 5 Hammersmith & Fulham 12
HARPENDEN fell to defeat at Redbourn Lane on Saturday as they failed to convert pressure and territory into points against Hammersmith & Fulham.
The hosts took to the field with a mostly first choice side and began the game well playing into a fierce wind. They spent almost the entire 40 minutes in their own half defending, as kicking their way out of danger proved near-impossible in the gusty conditions.
A searing break from Pat Collins brought some relief to this as he made huge gains up the centre of the field before an inch-perfect to Ben Allerton led to a rare attacking situation for Harpenden, which frustratingly came to nothing.
Strong defence kept the travelling side at bay and was particularly encouraging given recent performances, however just before half time a constant barrage of attacks eventually saw Hammersmith bundle over for an unspectacular but crucial score.
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The half also saw centre Tom Collin limp off which brought some rearranging to the Harpenden backline.
The second half started brightly enough for the men in black as they kicked for territory and put good pressure on their opponents. Some quick rucking and fast thinking from Alan Barton saw his floated pass find debutant Rhys Morgan out on the wing who gladly dived over for what many thought was the start of the comeback.
It was not to be, as error-ridden Harpenden failed time and time again to turn pressure and territory into attack. Some promising running from Rob Humphrey split the visitors defence time and time again, but a lack of support combined with poor decision-making and pitiful handling meant that chance after chance went begging.
Eventually it was Hammersmith & Fulham who stole the honours and, in one of the few occasions they managed to get close enough to the Harpenden line, demonstrated how to transform opportunities into points.
Given the quality of the first-half display it was a disappointing end to the game, however Harpenden have an opportunity to make amends this coming Saturday as they travel to Hampstead to face a team on the up.
Harpenden: W. Peck, D. Tennant, P. Collins, M. Stranders, T. Hoare, A. Brown, A. Read, B. Allerton, R. Humphrey, J. Barton, S. Smith, J. Tennant, T. Collin, A. Barton, R. Kearns, A. Kiff, R. Morgan, N. Chichester-Miles.
