September had provided some pleasant Saturday weather for both spectators and players alike, October arrived with a vengeance as the wind and rain made for a damp afternoon in Norfolk.

Despite having lost their first four fixtures, Norwich were by no means going to hand Harpenden the points without a significant fight. Whilst the away side were looking to build some momentum by securing back to back wins for the first time.

Two changes in the pack saw Preston and Goode back in the fray whilst Speirs, Wilkinson and Pennell joined the backs.

The early stages saw both sides get a feel for the conditions with a volley of kicks and carries asking questions of the respective defences. However, it was Harps who drew first blood. Putting their driving maul into action after a succession of Norwich penalties. Michael Goode touching down at the base.

Harpenden continued to have the ascendancy with some tremendous carries from Ed Preston and Jevaughn Warren. Luke Barber was also a persistent thorn in the side of the home side on the counter attack.

A further penalty was added to make the score 0-8 and shortly after, it was Warren who powered over the line from the back of another maul. With 15 minutes to go in the half, the spectators gathered under the shelter from the rain might have thought that Harpenden would kick on to take the game out of sight. Yet, this score galvanised the Norwich side who began to gain some territory and despite not being able to cross the whitewash returned with six points from their two visits into the 22. Leaving the half time score at 6-13.

In the second period the rain continued to descend and the already disjointed game became even more so. There were spells of tidy play and massive defensive efforts coming from both sides but Norwich were unable to erode the Harpenden lead.

Warren then extended it further with an impressive surge from fifteen metres out. With the conversion added by Mann, Harps had a two score advantage and twenty minutes to try to secure a bonus point.

Despite considerable effort, the fourth try eluded them. Which will leave the side a touch frustrated. The season continues on Saturday 16th October with the slightly shorter away trip to Leighton Buzzard.

Harpenden
Warren, Sims, Campion, Lacey, Pearce-Paul, Nkwocha, Goode, Preston, Gulliford, Mann, Wilkinson, Hales, Speirs, Pennell, Barber
Reps: McKenzie-Cardy, Gue, Moyle