Harborough's power and pace prove too much as the 2nd XV overcome a strong Old Newts team

With the 1st team having a week off it was the turn of the 2nd XV to take centre stage on a cold day on a pitch wet from sleet and rain. Both teams were able to field strong sides but it was Harborough who started the stronger with much of the game played in the visitors 22. A score seemed inevitable and it came from Laurence Joel recently returned from a spell at Southend. His pace and game awareness proved too much for Newts as he touched down wide out although he was unable to add the extras. Harborough were now beginning to dominate with Jack Digby immense in the tight and young Fraser Smith showing huge presence in the loose, making ground whenever he had the ball. It was however Henry Moss who added the next points as he drove forward with the ball and with the pack adding momentum he went over for the second score. The wet pitch was not helping the kickers and once again the conversion was missed. This try galvanised Newts and they mounted an attack of their own with quick ball following a Harborough infringement allowing their centre an easy run through a gap in the defence, 10-5 to Harborough. But Harborough showed that they also have strong backs with Joel and Geordan Stout running strong lines and after a few missed opportunities the ball came to Mason Tye whose speed proved far too much for Newts and Harborough regained their 10 point advantage just before half-time. Harborough now rang the changes and bought on their substitutes and this for a time unsettled them and having lost their shape Newts were able to score their second try to reduce the arrears. Harborough then upped their game once more with Kev Howley leading from the front, pushing his battered body to the limits and it was therefore just reward that having being camped on the visitors try line it was Howley who powered over to score Harborough’s 4th try and restore Harborough’s 10 point advantage. The play was now evenly balanced and Harborough thought they had extended their lead when Charlie Standley went over after good work by James Wheeler but the flag was raised as he had a foot in touch. This merely served as an incentive to Harborough who kept up the attacks and skipper Sam Blades capped a fine performance to touch down for a try to put Harborough 25-10 in the lead. Newts are however a useful side and fought back to score a third try of their own and the conversion on this occasion was added and that being the last score of the game saw Harborough run out 25-17 victors. Watching Coach, Richard Bowden said after the game that he was impressed at how during the season Harborough have begun to demonstrate that they have real strength in depth with the second team growing stronger each game. Next Saturday sees a return to League action for the first team against Stewarts and Lloyds at Northampton Road and they are determined to continue their push for promotion.