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They came they saw they conquered 52-14 to be precise

They came they saw they conquered 52-14 to be precise

Stevie Hanna9 Mar 2015 - 18:22
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Half Century score line confirms promotion status

The "good ole boys" made the short trip up the A6 to Leicester on a gloriously sunny day to play Aylestone Athletic in a winner takes all game. With Harborough sitting 2 points above Ath 2nd in the league a loss would have seen a reversal of league positions and with it the chance of promotion gone too.

Keen to avoid a repeat of the home game which saw the Vets 12-0 up at half time only to end up 12-17 down at full time the game plan was simply to dominate every area of the game and to keep on the right side of the ref.

With the coin toss won the Vets elected to start with the gusty wind at their backs in an attempt to rack up some points before turning into it in the second half, hopefully with a big enough buffer enabling them to see out the game.

Straight from the off the physicality of the pack put down a marker for the game. With clean ball and a solid platform the backs were able to cut through the Ath defence with ease and before we knew it the score board was looking good for the visitors.

Turning into the wind the plan was very simple again, keep the ball in hand and keep going through the phases retaining the ball creating space out wide by sucking in the defence and graft a score out. Quickly we were two tries to the good into the wind and effectively out of reach.

Unfortunately the "no kicking memo" must have missed certain player(s) as the Ath were able to cross the white wash twice via kick returns deep into the Harb half the only blot on a near perfect performance.

It was just reward to see off LRU Div 3 in this style given the season the old boys have had, narrowly beaten 19-18 in the East Midlands Vets Cup Semi having had the dominant pack nullified by uncontested scrums. Honouring every fixture and playing some great rugby in the process against opposition sometime young enough to be our grandsons let alone sons!

The celebrations lasted well into the wee small hours in the various bars Leicester had to offer and this "practice" should serve well for the upcoming "Need for Tweed" away day at the Gate, the Club Dinner, Tour and end of season Beach Party......

A massive thanks must go out to Deep Heat, ibuprofen and the makers of Black Sheep bitter for keeping the vets on the playing field this season......without you none of this would be possible.

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