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Sat 02 Mar 2019 · Midlands 2 East (South)
1st XVBelgrave
33
10
Harborough Maintain Home Record To Stay Second
Caroline Miller4 Mar 2019 - 12:10
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Harborough saw off a battling Belgrave side with a resilient performance built on some fantastic defence and electric attacking play from the backs.
Matches against Belgrave are always difficult. They have a strong, abrasive pack, hard running backs and a fiercely competitive approach to the game which has caused the young Harborough squad issues in the past. The addition of a couple of older heads to the pack who also add a bit of size definitely helped the Harborough pack compete better in the tight areas and provided a platform for the backs to score some scintillating tries. The Belgrave defence struggled to compete with the pace and guile of the Harborough wide players and all 5 tries came from the backs.
Harborough started strongly with Stu Bale, sporting a very sharp Kim Jong Un-esque haircut, introducing himself to the opposition seven straight from the kick off with a sit down that set the tone for Harborough’s play in the loose. Before long Harborough were 2 tries and 12-0 ahead with tries from Harvey Slade and Laurence Joel. Some charging runs from the Harborough pack, with Fin Smith showing that he’s not just a pretty face, were followed by great inter play and running lines which opened up the Belgrave defence like a packet of crisps.
As was to be expected Belgrave came back strongly and laid siege to the Harborough line. The Belgrave pack was causing Harborough problems at the set piece, but in the loose and at the breakdown Harborough were comfortably matching their counterparts. Young James Melody who is in his first year as a senior player was outstanding at ruck time and Josh Haynes showed some back row qualities by making a turnover of his own as Belgrave mounted another attack. Massive tackles were going in on players in black and red around the fringes and in the centre as Belgrave continued to try and find a way through. A strong, aggressive defensive line continuously came up to meet the attacking players who simply couldn’t find a way through.
After soaking up pressure for a long period Harborough used their pace and handling to break away and score 2 more well taken tries before half-time through Milkha Basra and Geordan Stout. The work rate of the forwards was giving the backs the time and space they needed to keep the score board ticking over and after 40 mins the score was 26-0.
The second half was much closer with several handling errors from both teams making it a bit of a stop start affair. Belgrave worked hard to keep the ball away from the home team’s back line and played for territory with some huge kicks from their fly half to pin the men in black down in their 22.
One kick however failed to make touch and was picked up by Geordan Stout who set off on a great run, picking a line through a hole created by am outrageous show and go. Some lovely handling and interplay from the supporting runners allowed Laurence Joel to go over under the posts for his second try which he duly converted.
Unfortunately for Harborough there was to be no more scores. Stu Bale went over in the corner but the pass from his brother was adjudged to be forward so was disallowed. A couple of other opportunities went begging due to some handling errors but overall it was an impressive performance against a side who are always difficult to play against.
Belgrave deservedly got some points on the board with 2 unconverted tries to reduce the deficit to 33-10 by the final whistle. Harborough had fronted up in the tight and destroyed Belgrave out wide and this was an opposition team that lies comfortably fourth in the league. Yes they had some players missing but Harborough could argue that they too have several players currently injured who may have been involved had they been fit. Jack Digby, Joe Caunt, Joe Price, Harry Durham have all played many First team games this season but were all unavailable on Saturday. The strength in depth and the quality of the coaching from Joe and Chris means that this Harborough squad is well placed to adapt and change as and when required.
There are still 5 very difficult games to go in the league season and the next 2 games are both against top 6 sides in the form of Bugbrooke and Coalville. Harborough will need to maintain their focus on the processes and strengths that have seen them win 4 from their last 5, scoring just over 200 points on the way.
The Second XV played Belgrave’s Seconds on pitch 2 and ran out 65-19 winners. A great performance sees them sitting fourth in league with 3 games left. The seconds had a string of players who have played first team this year and plenty of younger players who will eventually get their chance. Having a strong and competitive second XV is vital to the success of the club and the First XV.
On the other pitch the Third XV were playing Rushden & Higham and dispatched them in a 36-16 win. The thirds are going from strength to strength with players coming back to play who haven’t put their boots on for a while. Being able to put out 3 teams at home on the same day is a great achievement and one that not many clubs can do at the moment. Credit to everyone involved in managing, organising and playing for the mighty threes.
Harborough started strongly with Stu Bale, sporting a very sharp Kim Jong Un-esque haircut, introducing himself to the opposition seven straight from the kick off with a sit down that set the tone for Harborough’s play in the loose. Before long Harborough were 2 tries and 12-0 ahead with tries from Harvey Slade and Laurence Joel. Some charging runs from the Harborough pack, with Fin Smith showing that he’s not just a pretty face, were followed by great inter play and running lines which opened up the Belgrave defence like a packet of crisps.
As was to be expected Belgrave came back strongly and laid siege to the Harborough line. The Belgrave pack was causing Harborough problems at the set piece, but in the loose and at the breakdown Harborough were comfortably matching their counterparts. Young James Melody who is in his first year as a senior player was outstanding at ruck time and Josh Haynes showed some back row qualities by making a turnover of his own as Belgrave mounted another attack. Massive tackles were going in on players in black and red around the fringes and in the centre as Belgrave continued to try and find a way through. A strong, aggressive defensive line continuously came up to meet the attacking players who simply couldn’t find a way through.
After soaking up pressure for a long period Harborough used their pace and handling to break away and score 2 more well taken tries before half-time through Milkha Basra and Geordan Stout. The work rate of the forwards was giving the backs the time and space they needed to keep the score board ticking over and after 40 mins the score was 26-0.
The second half was much closer with several handling errors from both teams making it a bit of a stop start affair. Belgrave worked hard to keep the ball away from the home team’s back line and played for territory with some huge kicks from their fly half to pin the men in black down in their 22.
One kick however failed to make touch and was picked up by Geordan Stout who set off on a great run, picking a line through a hole created by am outrageous show and go. Some lovely handling and interplay from the supporting runners allowed Laurence Joel to go over under the posts for his second try which he duly converted.
Unfortunately for Harborough there was to be no more scores. Stu Bale went over in the corner but the pass from his brother was adjudged to be forward so was disallowed. A couple of other opportunities went begging due to some handling errors but overall it was an impressive performance against a side who are always difficult to play against.
Belgrave deservedly got some points on the board with 2 unconverted tries to reduce the deficit to 33-10 by the final whistle. Harborough had fronted up in the tight and destroyed Belgrave out wide and this was an opposition team that lies comfortably fourth in the league. Yes they had some players missing but Harborough could argue that they too have several players currently injured who may have been involved had they been fit. Jack Digby, Joe Caunt, Joe Price, Harry Durham have all played many First team games this season but were all unavailable on Saturday. The strength in depth and the quality of the coaching from Joe and Chris means that this Harborough squad is well placed to adapt and change as and when required.
There are still 5 very difficult games to go in the league season and the next 2 games are both against top 6 sides in the form of Bugbrooke and Coalville. Harborough will need to maintain their focus on the processes and strengths that have seen them win 4 from their last 5, scoring just over 200 points on the way.
The Second XV played Belgrave’s Seconds on pitch 2 and ran out 65-19 winners. A great performance sees them sitting fourth in league with 3 games left. The seconds had a string of players who have played first team this year and plenty of younger players who will eventually get their chance. Having a strong and competitive second XV is vital to the success of the club and the First XV.
On the other pitch the Third XV were playing Rushden & Higham and dispatched them in a 36-16 win. The thirds are going from strength to strength with players coming back to play who haven’t put their boots on for a while. Being able to put out 3 teams at home on the same day is a great achievement and one that not many clubs can do at the moment. Credit to everyone involved in managing, organising and playing for the mighty threes.
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