The fitness and cohesion in the team showed from the off as Harbury looked to play a running style of rugby.

Harbury travelled to Earlsdon third team to play the rearranged league fixture between the two clubs, the original game was called off due to the posts being blown over and the pitch resembling a swimming pool, however Saturdays conditions could not have been more different with the pitch bathed in glorious Spring conditions.

Much was said before kick off about Earlsdon having such a large squad (approximately 25 players) it then became apparent that Earlsdon 2s had no game, therefore they had a mixture of players to chose from.
Thankfully for this game Harbury selected probably their strongest squad of the season with all but 2 or 3 players having had some sort of involvement in the first team this season and half who are regulars at training on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The fitness and cohesion in the team showed from the off as Harbury looked to play a running style of rugby. Apart from kickoff when Charlie Gladden playing back row, dropped the ball giving Earlsdon an attacking scrum!! Maybe he knew that we had a strong team and therefore was feeling a little sorry for Earlsdon, or more likely that he was still monkied after another evening of joy and fulfilment that can only be found at The Old New Inn!!

Harbury also welcomed into the squad Mark Aston who at scrum half fitted in very well and will definitely be a first team player of the future, in fact it was Mark Aston who scored first showing great strength and speed to make ground before breaking a tackle and rounding the fullback for the opening score, the conversion was missed.
Harburys pack then had a period of domination where the front row of James Gaynor, Jeff Foster and Sam Haden all carried well, driving into the heart of Earlsdons defence, however stout defence by the home side limited us to a penalty converted by Mark Anderson.

Straight from kick off the ball was set by Charlie Gladden, who decided to catch the ball this time, it was fed to the backs of Robbie Shuttleworth, Jon Jo Cronin, Mark Finch, Robbie Andrews and Tom Webb who made ground with some superb interplay before releasing Gladden who sprinted in from halfway for a try converted by Anderson.
Next it was Mark Anderson scoring underneath the posts, Shuttleworth calling a move early from the scrum. The move was executed to perfection resulting in Anderson going under the posts untouched for a further 7 points.

Earlsdon then had a period of play where they were looking to create space but resolute defence by the forwards led by Matt Holloway kept them out. From an Earlsdon Lineout Cronin and Finch hit the defensive line hard and drove back the outside centre 10 meters, but the ball was somehow recycled by them and Earlsdon scored a try against the run of play which was expertly converted by their 10.

Harbury decided to see out the half by kicking long and deep to ensure there were no further scores, but Finch fluffed the kick off and it went short and shallow!! caught by their marauding number 8 who made 40 metres before being stopped, great work at the breakdown by Dan Shinkwin turned the ball over which was quickly passed out to Gladden who sauntered in from 70 meters to bring the half to a close.

Half Time 27 - 7

Second half saw Harbury make 1 change with Pattison coming on for Gladden who was requiring an iron lung after his exploits at back row, Earlsdon made 7!!
The first score of the half was important as if we scored we were home and dry but if Earlsdon got it then pressure could show. It was never in doubt, Shuttleworth turning back the clock to show a clean pair of heels to the winger and the famous step to see off the full back, again this was after good work by Sam Haden who made a break in the centre of the pitch before the ball was given to Shuttleworth to score which Anderson converted.
Earlsdon were now better in the scrums and lineout, the changes they made bought on some experienced heads in the front row who gave Gaynor, Foster and Haden a bit more of a challenge, but Foster still took a number of balls against the head and supported by James Bardly and Phil Gallagher in the 2nd row pushed them back over and over again.
Earlsdon though scored next with there new inside centre showing his power to burst over for a converted score.

It was now time for Mark Anderson to start playing, as his fitness and speed was obviously lacking it took a little time for him to warm up, when he did it resulted in two converted tries in 10 minutes, quite simply when he was put in space his pace was evident to see and he burnt his opposite number from the halfway line twice.
But as this reporter observed he is obviously in need of some fitness work, maybe take a leaf out of Charlie Gladdens book and spend some time in The Old New Inn on a strict training regime of Cider, Mcdonalds and Pizza!!
Anderson could not take the second conversion which was left to Robbie Andrews to convert, this was due to his fatigue therefore the fitness animal Gladden had to save him by being his replacement.

Last but not least Mark Aston completed the scoring by again breaking numerous tackles and rounding the full back to cap a very impressive display, the conversion was missed. The referees whistle called time on the game to give Harbury the deserved victory against what is a very good Earlsdon side.

Final score - 53 - 14.

Man of the Match could have been anyone in the side but the accolade went to Mark Anderson who finished with 26 points for the day.

Both Harbury teams put out very strong sides on Saturday and both came back with excellent victories. The second team fielded against Earlsdon would have beaten most teams playing in Midlands 4 and would have definitely won the 2nd team cup which was played yesterday, we have a very strong base for a small club and everyone is playing with a smile.
The future is bright at the club and should the firsts be promoted then both teams can look forward to next season and be excited about playing some excellent rugby and getting back to winning some silverware at the club.