MHRUFC U14 v Oundle

On a pitch best described as 'heavy', the two sides displayed good rugby in a competitive and entertaining game, enjoyed by the spectators in spring-like conditions. It was like spring, but colder!
The opening few minutes saw the ball contested keenly at the breakdown, with neither side threatening to score, largely cancelling each other out in the centre of the pitch. However the deadlock was broken with a great run down the left wing involving about 6 passes, but only in that phase two players as Smith and Bellamy bamboozled the defenders who didn't know which one to tackle as they kept passing the ball to each other as they ran towards the try line. As they arrived Smith had ball in hand and scored in the corner.
Soon after, a break down the right wing saw Boot score a fine try. Neither try was converted leaving the core at 10:0 at half time.
In the second half, the pressure was all from Harborough and they added to the score with a try scored and converted by Slaughter, but he was nicely set up by a fine bit of play from Conneely.
Harborough should have added to the score on a few further occasions, but some overlaps were ignored and the lure of the white line was at times too great.
The breakdown however was strong with all the forwards contributing and the backs also put together some good passing attacks. Jo Halls in particular put in a good shift with some strong battering runs. It was a good test and run out to prepare for the approaching cup game.