All round team display earns Belgrave a win thanks to Bungles boots

Before I commence todays report an urgent message for our fans in Italy for the big game,Tom(statto)Hunter and F E Peake esq.If you happen to bump into a local painter and decorator named Michael Angelo tell him to contact Market Harborough RFC the kitchen ceiling needs painting.You may find him near the Vatican knocking about with the Pope.Leave it with you lads.Tell him its a cash job.
Following the defeats of the last weeks where all the wheels had come off the wagon the visitors today were Market Harborough RFC who are up there in the promotion stakes,always a tough fixture.
Match official for the game Mr Tom Brucciani of the well known Leicester catering company,mum always took us to the Fox Lane premises for an ice cream soda,A famous Leicester institution and still going today.
Belgrave still had several injured players on the side line,but welcomed back to the pack Louis(doddy)Summers still playing till Stanleys old enough to take his place and Peter(the pastor)Petra,both players were to have a major impact on the game as it turned out.
On the kick off Belgrave defended the club house end,Harborough struck first on 5 minutes with a lineout steal on Belgraves 22 the ball was put to the backs for Harvey Slade to cross the line.A phrase you will read several times in this report,Kevin(bungle)Curtis as pictured added 3 points with the boot.
With the wet ,muddy conditions and drizzling rain it was difficult to handle the ball,Belgrave opted to play up the middle of the field keeping the ball in their forwards led as always by evergreen veteran Ivan Wright and assisted by the rest of the pack who all did sterling work and left last weeks display at Bosworth Field along with Richard 3rds army.
With Belgrave spending time in Harboroughs half it was difficult for them to get the ball,2 penalties followed which Curtis slotted over from 24 yards and 22 yards giving Belgrave a half time lead of 9 points to 5.
Famous people at the ground Ian(bean)Hawse that well know Belgrave stalwart who has now joined the 7zero club along with Little Malc at the Hoskins,soon to be followed by bald Geoff in May and myself in September.A good year 1948.
The second half started with Harborough using the passing game and Belgrave keeping the ball in the pack,a long clearing kick down field,Belgrave failed to clear the ball,with it bouncing around,Harris Medwell nipped in stole the ball and scored,a fine opportunist try .Harborough now lead by a point.Yet again 3 points from Kev Curtis to put Belgrave back in the lead.With 10 minutes to play and the game in the balance,another penalty from Curtis giving them the lead by 15 points to 10.
Substitutes now for both sides exit Ivan Wright and enter Patrick(the Viking Warrior)Thomson,no sign of the warriors and trolls as ordered last week.With 10 minutes to go the Belgrave pack took over with Tom Ball leading from the front a ruck saw Jack(splatt)Warren put in the clear only to fall inches from the line.Market Harborough put up a valiant defence against the rampaging Belgrave forwards but conceded 2 kickable penalties.A big decision should Curtis go for the corner and use up time with the possibility of a try or kick to put Belgrave further ahead and out of sight.The latter was chosen and both kicks were missed.All now to play for.
With the clock ticking down Harborough came knocking at the door,a bit like when the witness's come.They needed a try to tie the game and kept the ball in hand.A long clearing kick by Connor(son of)Jackson bounced a foot in field and pinned Harborough inside their own 22.
Again Harborough came at Belgrave who managed to hold them out,with the last play of the game following a Belgrave penalty a lineout
10 yards from Belgraves line.
The ball went up,both teams were up for it,somehow it came down on the Belgrave side and Connor Jackson kicked the ball dead.A Belgrave win by 15 points to 10.A hard fought game from both sides,as one spectator was heard to say he would have paid money to watch that.Well played both teams.
A free week next week so who knows whats in store.To the lads in Italy tell Michael Angelo we can get the paint from B and Q on a Wednesday using my pensioners discount card.Also he will be under the protection of The Austin Brothers.I have told them he is coming to play for Leicester City.So that should keep them happy