Harlow............................29

Canterbury......................10

In-form Harlow continued their winning streak in style after beating Canterbury in a friendly on Saturday.

The Rams took the game to the visitors from the outset and the first score came from a five-metre scrum. Gareth Pugh, the scrum half, made a break for the line but was stopped short; he then recycled the ball for flanker Richard May to burst across the line for a try.

The next 15 minutes was played at a frantic pace with both sides running the ball into the opposing 22 without adding to the scores.

But Harlow extended their lead when John Kent tapped a lineout ball to hooker John Locke who almost made the line. He did manage to find May who ran in for his second try of the afternoon.

The visitors started the second half with the slope in their favour and immediately put the Rams under pressure with a series of attacks.

Canterbury were rewarded when they scored under the posts but the conversion attempt hit the upright to leave Harlow in the lead by ten points to five.

Ten minutes later, the Rams pressed forward from a scrum close to the visitors' line and John Kent scored a converted try after yet more sterling work from Locke.

Michael Holmes added a further score for the home side after linking well with the backs to finish a fine running attack.

There was still time for another try and the Rams obliged when Rhys Loveday, the fly half, dummied past one defender before feeding flanker Paul Gutteridge who had the easy task of touching down.

From the following kick-off, Canterbury surged forward and reduced the winning margin with a consolation try.

Harlow are back in full league action this Saturday when they travel to Wimbledon. The second XV are at home to the same opposition in a London Merit Table fixture.

Harlow Colts...................15

Bedford Colts..................13

Without five of their first choice players, Harlow Colts came through to secure a narrow win over Bedford.

The young Rams were up against it but stubborn defending restricted the visitors to just a penalty score in the first 20 minutes.

Ben Jarvis then kicked a penalty for the home side to leave the match evenly poised for the second half.

Bedford kicked another penalty to take the lead once again, but Harlow replied with the first try of the match when outside centre Wayne Morgan broke through to score.

Harlow extended their lead when winger Neil McMullen swooped onto a fumbled ball to sprint under the post for a try easily converted by Jarvis.

The visitors finished the scoring with a converted try to set up a fascinating finale but the young Rams held out to squeeze home by just two points.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.