MHRUFC U14s Vs South Leicester RFC U14s

A windy rainy field awaited the teams at South Leicester RFC, Fortunately the rain backed off just ahead of kick off leaving just the gusting crosswind and the opposition to contend with. South Leicester kicked off confidently and soon found themselves in rapid retreat as the Harborough team took the catch and pressed forward at pace. With barely 30 seconds on the clock Fullback Jack Rowlatt had sprinted through the chaotic defenders to land a try, the wind proving something of a challenge for Fly Half Will Dawson as the conversion drifted wide. A series of messy muddy encounters followed as both teams allowed themselves to be drawn into a forwards dominated game, SL's forwards certainly had some muscle, but despite this they failed to move the ball wide to their backs relying instead on what they perceived as a weight advantage. A quick rucking from Forwards Max Halls, Thomas Dyson and Thomas Melody saw the ball in Harborough hands and out to Sam Dexter who ran in a second try, the conversion similarly denied by our resident gale. South Leicester returned to the game with gritted teeth Driving Harbrough back to their own try line for the first time. They hustled and drove and hustled again until a combination of determination and Harborough missing a few opportunities to clear allowed them to cross the line to score a well deserved five points, and despite the wind the conversion kick was successful. Harborough responded in kind and from the kick off pushing SL back to within the five metre line. Repeatedly Harborough tried to snipe a try around each ruck, the forwards pressing ever closer, Captain Will Adams leading the players on as second row Josh Guerreiro and Matt Robinson rucked again and again to secure. Hooker Tom Melody played out of his boots and finally succeeded in landing the ball between the posts, followed with a successful conversion by Alex McGregor Harborugh regained a comfortable lead. SL repeated the gritty efforts of ten minutes earlier and tried to muscle their way once more across the Harbrough try line, a desperate rearguard action ensued, William Henderson throwing himself into the rucks and Charlie Power pouncing on any South player in possession. Harbrough were lucky to clear the ball right and a courageous run byDexter thrust the ball deep into SL territory. A lack of cohesion in the Harborough backs saw some crucial offload opportunities missed and only good forwards support held sway. Firmly camped within the SL twenty two Harborough pressed the SL defenders again and again with no return, until finally a loose pass rolled back toward Rowlatt who seeing a yawning gap ran in Harborough's fourth try.
Harborough were ahead at half time with what looked like a firm hold. They kicked off only to see a spirited drive from South Leicester only halted by Ollie Hoare who demonstrated possibly one of the most text book example tackles of the season. A scrum followed and Harborough showed some of the flair they have turned on through the season. Scrum Half Dan Hands whipped the ball out quick to the right and the backs fast pace proved too much as Rowlatt cleared the defenders to claim another try, the conversion foiled again by the wind. Harborough were now on the up and Eight Ben Marshall put in one of his outstanding pick and drives, gaining significant metres in the process, quick ball out wide was picked up by Centre Tom Wainwright who powered to the line only to be tackled just short, Harborough smelling blood piled on the pressure, among the rough and tumble was forward Will Logalbo and winger Louis Van Den Berg who's constant support play helped steady things for the team. As South Leicester scrambled to hold their line it was Rowlatt again who stole through to claim another five points. The conversion kick falling just short. The last try of the game came from a nimble run straight at South from Geordan Bedford, despite his spearhead thrust he was brought down short but a quick ruck from Dexter and Winger Joe Harrison allowed Hooker Melody to once more take command and punch through to ground the ball, the wind denying the conversion for the last time.
Difficult weather conditions and a spirited performance from South Leicester made this a tough game, but in the end Harborough took centre stage.
Final Score MH37 – SL 7