Harbury (10) v Bromyard (29)

A disappointing outcome for Harbury

HARBURY 10
BROMYARD 29

Midlands 4 West (South)

A disappointing outcome for Harbury after an excellent and committed opening ten minutes of play, reflected in a fully deserved 5 –nil lead, through a driving maul by the pack touched down by prop Ian Kimberley.

However, from the kick off Bromyard gained good field position in the home 22 as one of Harbury’s perennial failings to deal with the restart, as a simple knock on enabled their table topping opponents an opportunity to apply pressure. This indeed they did but Harbury held firm and from a scrum beneath their posts they moved the ball and the visitors excellent no 7 snapped the opportunity of a timely intercept to score beneath the posts. The conversion was added for a 7-nil lead.

The half was nearing completion and Harbury had put together some excellent phases of play. Fine defence from Bromyard kept their line intact but hasty decision making from the hosts too often provided little opportunity when sharp thinking may well have led to a lead changing score.

The conceding of a penalty took play once more into the home 22 but a well won set piece from Harbury was lost when the referee, clearly should have ordered a reset scrum as the pass from a Harbury player hit and rolled forward. However, it was not to be and a penalty was awarded to Bromyard, on the cusp of half time, in front of the posts, the kick hit the upright and bounced back into play the visiting 12 them moved quickly and with good support play touched down wide out. The conversion was added for a 14-5 lead.

The second half was characterised by another poor retake from the kick off with another knock on. Bromyard added a well taken try wide out and extended their lead to 19-5. Ricky Alford entering the fray then showed his guile and strength as he burst through the visitors cover wide out to reduce the deficit to nine points.

Bromyard came back with a bonus point unconverted try and then on full time added another for a 29-10 win. For Harbury it was an opportunity that had chances been taken the result would undoubtedly have been closer. Playing to their strengths and cutting out elementary errors need to be a prerequisite of their future game plans.

Harbury are away to Claverdon on Saturday with a 3.00 pm KO

HARBURY 2nd XV 17
NEWBOLD 3rd XV 31

Outstanding work by captain and organiser Linden McDonald was at the forefront of getting Harbury 2’s first run out of the season. Getting 19 players together was quite outstanding. Harbury came back from 19-0 down to 19-17 thanks to 3 excellent tries from Paul Evans. Linden hopes to get at least 3 or 4 more fixtures for his team. He can be contacted through Linden McDonald on Facebook and posting an interest in playing.