End of season win

Since the beginning of February, Market Harborough Colts have had a run of 10 wins and 1 defeat but arrived at Syston for the final league game of the season with a limited squad, but spirits ran high. On a good pitch with a sunny but breezy day Harborough put themselves under pressure by failing to deal with the kick off. Syston utilised their bigger forwards well but the vistors stood firm and were able to clear their lines. Gradually the game was played more in the opposition’s half with fly half Jack Leather’s boot keeping the play in the right area. However, Syston had the Harborough lineout on toast, and the scrum creaked too. But, as has happening so often the weakness at set pieces has been balanced by incisive rugby in broken play. From a penalty, a quick tap from scrum half Charlie Beard gained yards, and an offload to Number 8 Matthew Sankey saw him score. Leather converting 0-7. This was soon followed by a gift, a scrum free kick against the head was spun quickly out wide for full back Mason Tye to score 0-12. Keeping the ball alive worked for the more mobile Harborough pack and after prop Adam Stamp was held up just short, captain Joe Price poached his 19th try of the season, most of which have been from 1 yard out! 0-19. Just before half time there was still chance for Harborough to score the best try of the game; winger Martin Redmond stripped the ball in the tackle and broke down the wing, he got support from outside centre Geordan Stout who drew his man wide and slipped the ball inside for Leather to score under the posts HT 0-26

Syston put the visitors under concerted pressure in the second half but succumbed when good forwards possession was moved quickly to the flank for Tye to score again 0-31. Syston then advantage of an increasing penalty count to kick for the corner. As had looked likely, the forward pressure told and they easily pushed over for the deserved score 5-31. Very quickly Harborough upped the defensive effort and stifled the revival and when the ball was moved wide quickly to give Tye the space to score his hat-trick. 5-36. More midfield dominance gave Stout the opportunity to cross the line and seal a fine 5-41 win. The end of a really satisfying season