Saturday 7th April, a glorious day for rugby; warm, dry and only a light wind. Add this to the fact this was Harrow’s last home match of the season. Many of those sitting to another great lunch (Ham & Leek Pie with potatoes and vegetables) would have had a feeling of optimism for the rugby they were going to see on display. And if you were a neutral or Harpenden fan. Your prayers were answered.

Sadly, the Harrow Team that took the field were full of inexperience at this level of senior rugby. That being said, the 18 that showed up to pull on the Harrow jersey, did so not only for the jersey, but to help their mates and show a solidarity to get through the remainder of this season together. This was then followed up by some promising individual performances which really do give hope to next year’s campaign.

Harpenden kicking off with their backs to the pond pitch got things started. A neat collection from the Harrow pack, ball secured, another smooth phase of forwards play followed by a clearance up the field…. All things considered a smooth exit from a Harrow team who had struggled in this department in the early half of the season. Improvement noted.

Unlike HAC, Harpenden found it a lot easier to rip through the Harrow defence. The dry, calm conditions, really helping a team whose running rugby this year has been well documented and rightly feared within the league. 5 minutes gone and the Harrow scramble defence, already puffing were up against the wall. They had to work hard to quash two clear Harpenden chances, the boys showed defiance, good. But the signs were clear to see. A long afternoon was in store.

And after the first try went in which saw the Harpenden backs exposing the Harrow wide defence again, it would be right to worry from a Harrow point of view. But it took 10 minutes for Harpenden to score again. Attempts to break through the middle were in this period, fruitless. And the Harrow back row chop tackling their larger back row counterparts led to several penalty turnovers. But it was here were Harrow have to sort things out for next year. Taking territory and field position with your penalties is a start. But winning your own ball from the lineout is next on the memo. Harrow, seemed to have forgotten this key part of information. The lineout just didn’t work this weekend. This could be down to personnel, as the pack was minus a single regular member of its starting front row, and even second row it could be said. Eventually Harpenden were fed up of this period of play where Harrow were frustrating them in the loose. And a steal from a Harrow lineout led to a try, the Harpenden centre making a break out wide which after two further phases saw his scrum capped centre partner cross the whitewash.

Now it is unkind to the Harpenden team to not write more about the first half. As they really did provide a masterclass in open running rugby, the hands were clean and the support lines were excellent from their backs. But too many tries confused this beleaguered reporter, especially as he was on the field, chasing the wretchedly fit younger generation. It must also be mentioned that the goal kicking of the opposition was exemplary, 8 from 8. Half time score 56 – 0.

What do Harrow do in the face of such a thumping. They rally! This is what has to be taken into next season. The opening exchanges in the first 5 minutes showed Harrow were not going to let the first half mauling continue. Competing at the restart a steal was nearly managed. The defence that followed then pushed the Harpenden attack into their own 22 and a rare clearance kick was the result. Possession and territory to Harrow! Lineouts still not operational, Harrow conceded the ball. But a turnover in midfield saw Harrow flip into attack mode. An excursion down the right produced the platform which opened up the Harpenden defence in the next phase. The attacking line were set up and screaming for the ball wide, Armitage-Brain spotting the opportunity let loose an arching 25 yard pass to expose the space. Harrow were in the backfield. Harpenden scramble defence made the tackle. The following phase down the blind saw William Kearney on return from a year in the wilderness of West Watford bounce the opposition winger and streak over in the corner for the try! A Brilliant touchline to touchline try. Captain West with an outstanding kick from the touchline added the extras.

Game on in the second half! And the next 10 minutes was fairly open, which suited the Harpenden game more than Harrow’s, but the break through took its time in arriving for Harpenden. The quick ball that Harpenden were able to achieve was ultimately the key area that Harrow need to learn to plug. An offload out of the tackle in midfield saw the Harpenden forward maraud through the middle of the Harrow defence. And the Harpenden winger ran over unchallenged a couple of phases later.

Another dark spell for Harrow followed with another 4 tries. One straight form the kick off.

Harrow steadied the storm and an extended period of play were the teams looked evenly matched followed, maybe Harpenden were tiring or Harrow were just fed up. Either way, it was Harrow’s most extended spell of decent, sensible rugby.

This ended, with a missed clearance kick and the poor Harrow kick chase, allowed the Harpenden back 3 to cut through and score again.

Harrow heads refused to drop. It was 87-7, not that those on the pitch were to know. And so it was Harrow who were to finish the game the stronger. Putting pressure around the fringes, Harrow’s last 5 minutes produced penalties and Harpenden knock ons. Unfortunately the line out was still not an option and so the penalty options became desperate. Box kicks and tap and goes were just as unsuccessful. Some thinking needs to go into Plan B moves for next year.

Last play of the game, Harrow defence had again produced a Harpenden knock on. Scrum on the opposition 10m line. The scrum under pressure meant the Harrow 8, at this point it was Jim Sonner, picked and went down the blind, the display of hands/offloads from the Harrow forwards at this point was a delight to see and it eventually resulted in Aniebonam having a clear route to the Harpenden try line in the corner. Great finish Gents. Captain West was again successful with his touchline conversion. Final Score 87 – 14.

It is hard to draw positives from such a mauling, but there are some to be had:
A Harrow second string front row, were more than a match for their counterparts in the scrum, a huge credit must go to Grimley, Boyle, Coker, Taffs for their hard work.
Colts, Manning and Aniebonam had good games, especially Manning, his tackling at fullback were outstanding and the 15 jersey is surely his if he is around next season.
Samad and Kearney in defence although exposed regularly, were not at fault for effort, both boys put their bodies in front of some big runners and their courage and heart is to be admired.

One last game this week against Enfield. Let’s go out on a high gents.

I would also like to take an opportunity on behalf of all the players to thank Linda and her supporting cast for the food they provide after every home match. Normally, after they have just provided an excellent lunch for the Harrow faithful! Linda, we sincerely appreciate all you do for the club and are grateful for the grub to refuel the battered bodies!

In addition I would like to thank Debbie, Rod, Goose, Andrew Smart and anyone else who has worked behind the bar this season. We are one of the fortunate clubs that has a bar at our club. We should be mindful of this and I would like to thank you all for being there and running the bar so that we may enjoy the clubhouse after a match.

Thanks again to all our supporters, who refuse to abandon us through this torrid spell. We will come back stronger. This week’s quote: “No matter how much it hurts now, someday you will look back and realise your struggles changed your life for the better.”

Cheers
Mark Gibson