The match was played at Felixstowe’s Infinity Rugby Ground on Saturday, October 31.

Andrew Sterry scored a hat-trick, while Sam Parker added three conversions and two penalties as the visitors overcame Felixstowe’s early pressure.

Harwich travelled for their second away game of the season after beating Bury St Edmunds Wolves the previous weekend.

Sam Parker from the tee (Image: Harwich and Dovercourt Rugby Club)

Sunny, mild weather set the scene for an open contest, but the hosts made the faster start.

After two minutes, Felixstowe kicked a penalty to touch before building a driving maul from the lineout.

Hooker Oliver Carr took the ball at the back of the maul, broke away 10 metres from the line and powered over.

Tom Gibson converted to put the home side 7-0 ahead.

Felixstowe kept up the pressure and Harwich were soon down to 14 men.

The referee judged a knock-on during an over-eager defensive scramble to be deliberate, sending a Harwich player to the sin bin for 10 minutes.

The hosts camped on the visitors’ five-metre line for several phases, but Harwich held firm and conceded no more points.

The visitors forced a penalty, cleared their lines and returned to full strength.

Harwich settled into the match and Sterry punished a loose Felixstowe clearance to level the score.

The wing took the ball on halfway, broke the defensive line, stepped the full-back and raced under the posts.

Parker converted to make it 7-7.

Gibson restored Felixstowe’s lead with a penalty from the 22-metre line.

Harwich hit back immediately as Alex Morton broke the line just inside his own half before quick ruck ball reached Palmer and then Sterry.

Sterry found space, beat his defender and scored under the posts for his second try.

Parker’s conversion put Harwich 14-10 ahead.

Sterry completed his hat-trick when Palmer kicked over the defensive line soon afterwards.

Felixstowe gathered the ball, but Kobe Ayling forced a knock-on and Sterry pounced, regathered possession and beat the final defender with his pace.

Parker converted again to give the visitors a 21-10 half-time lead.

The second half was tighter, with both sides enjoying possession but struggling to create clear chances.

Harwich’s pack won a scrum penalty and returning captain Flynn Garwood opted to take the points.

Parker made no mistake, extending the advantage to 24-10.

The visitors spent long spells inside the Felixstowe 22 before repeated offside penalties left the hosts with 14 players.

Harwich won another penalty, this time from 45 metres and close to the touchline.

Parker struck cleanly to make it 27-10 and put the result beyond doubt.

Felixstowe tested the visitors’ defence late on, but Harwich held firm and denied them another score.

The win leaves Harwich third in the table with five victories from six matches.

Harwich and Dovercourt return to Wick Lane on November 14 to face Stowmarket III.