Second half performance sees Harrow vanquish OA's

Sunday saw Harrow visit Old Albanians in a late arranged fixture, and competing against a side made predominantly of Under 18s with Harrow fielding a side made almost exclusively from the age group below.
30 minutes before kick-off coaches were drawing straws as to who could shave and pass as an U17 as attendance was looking short, but finally with some late arrivals they started the game with 14, borrowing a scrum half from the opposition to complete the full 15.
With inadequate preparation Harrow were on the back foot from the first whistle, and the cause was not helped with the loss of Max Skerton with what looked a nasty shoulder injury in the first 10 minutes.
OA's took advantage of the readjustment in the Harrow backs to score 2 tries in reasonably quick time, and with a touchline conversion adding an extra 2 points, they were 12-0 up on the scoreboard with 30 minutes gone.
To be fair Harrow had the upper hand in the scrums with Michael Doyle and Cameron Stiles continuing the great work of the last few weeks, and with Aidan Tearle adding some additional strength and guile in the 2 spot at least Harrow had some front foot ball to try and work with.
Using the slope and the wind Harrow started to make some inroads to the OA's 22, and after some excellent interplay between forwards and backs OA's infringed at the breakdown and Callum Manning slotted the resultant penalty to send Harrow in 12-3 down at half-time.
With the slope to work up, and a strong breeze in their faces, the challenge in the 2nd half was always going to be difficult, but Harrow started the second half much stronger and committed, and with Daniel McEvoy playing like a red-haired Dan Carter at 10, the strings started to be pulled and the moves started to click. One such move saw a 10/12 interchange result in John Doe crash through the OA's defence, and outsprint the covering support to score to the left of the posts. Conversion not made, but Harrow were now in touching distance with the gap a mere 4 points at 12-8.
Breakdowns were causing Harrow problems as support play was struggling to keep in touch, and a bigger more aggressive OA's pack was turning the ball over regularly, but the back row of Ash, Rory and Henry Jesson was never going to give up without a fight, and after another clean break from wing Andrew Powell who had an excellent game in defence and attack, Harrow were awarded another penalty just to the right of the posts. Callum Manning stepped up and slotted the 3 with a cool aplomb, and the gap was now only 1, and OA's bigger pack was starting to panic.
Harrow sensed a massive upset was on the cards, and from the kick-off McEvoy fed Manning on the inside, and his mazy run up the pitch and subsequent yards from Harry Logan and Jacob Thomas's chip and chase saw Harrow again putting pressure on in the OA's 22.
Another infringement from OA's and Harrow had the opportunity for 3 points from wide out which would see them in front for the first time.
Callum pushed it wide of the of the post, but the OA's prop who took the catch decided he was the incarnation of Richie McCaw and tried to run it out from his dead-ball area. Harrow were on him quickly, and from the resultant spilled ball Ash Prabakaran sliced through the OA's defence to touch down for 5 points, and with Callum Manning adding the extra 2 Harrow were now in front 18-12 with 3 minutes on the clock. The kick off was taken cleanly, and Harrow ran down the clock with remarkable control and discipline, to run out winners by 6, which after 30 minutes looked remarkable unlikely.
An excellent performance all round, and a good base for the first league game against Letchworth next Sunday.
A massive thanks to all the coaches, parents and supporters who travelled across and hopefully went home happy.
Team: Cameron, Aidan, Michael, Dylan, Joleyon, Rory, Henry, Ash, John Doe, Dan, Max, Harry, Jacob, Andrew, Callum and ANOther.