Harrow under 16s power to a convincing win

Last season when Dunstablians came to Harrow, the Under 15s (as they were then) put on an awesome contest. Dunstablians were top of the league and Harrow bottom; Harrow put together an outstanding first half with four tries, but the visitors responded with an equally outstanding four tries of their own and a truly amazing conversion in a howling wind to nick the game by 2pts.

With that game still very fresh in the memory, the scene was set for an entertaining morning.

Harrow managed to put together a full side of 15 for the first time this season, with the visitors having the benefit of one replacement waiting in the wings. As for conditions, there was a strong side wind (it seems it's always windy when Dunstablians visit!) to contend with, pretty wet underfoot but the air was dry and mild.

Harrow started strongly from the kick off and early on forced an error to win a scrum in a fairly central position just outside the 22. The backline was loaded strongly to the left but Tom picked and went to the big blindside and fed Malcolm who got close. A couple of phases later, Harrow won a free kick in front of the posts and Adam forced his way over, with David converting for a welcome early 7-0 lead.

The next score was from Dunstablians with a clever kick through from half way and a good chase, but the conversation was not successful.

Harrow enjoyed significant possession and territory for the remainder of the first half, with excellent rucking throughout, and a good break from Arasan, Henry and Malcolm set the ball up well and Harry nearly made it over the line. After another strong run from Malcolm, Harrow worked the ball well from right wing to left to put Brendan in for a try on 27 minutes, though Tom could not add the extras.

There was more and more pressure from Harrow to end the half and effective work from the scrum had the ball fed to Malcolm who, after earlier being held up over the line, this time used his strength to get the ball down. David couldn't hit the converstion.

Half time 17-5

Harrow knew that the visitors had some dangerous players and they could not afford to let the foot off the gas. Indeed the start of the second period was a tight affair with neither defence being breached for some time.

Jamie was doing well in his relatively new role being lifted in the lineout, and managed to win some good ball, and Ted and Kyle marshalled the forwards and backs admirably. Meanwhile, debutant Thomas was having a solid first game at flanker.

Adam had been equally as effective in defence as in attack, but it looked likely that he would get on the scoresheet again, and midway through the second half he broke through again despite the close attention of a number of Dunstablian defenders. Tom added 2 points from the tee to make it 24-5.

Harrow were not in the mood to let this position slip, and from a threatening but congested position on their opponent's 22, Tom found a bit of magic with a crossfield kick which allowed Kyle to run in the try. David couldn't find the posts with the conversion attempt.

There was time for one more score, with Henry going over in the final seconds, with Tom's successful conversion being the last kick of the game.

Final score Harrow 36-5 Dunstablians