Harborough's Valiant Effort - United In Defeat

It was always going to be an uphill battle to snatch the league title at Nuneaton. The maths was relatively simple, Nuneaton only needed one point to claim the league champions crown. Harborough would need to deny them that point and collect five points themselves. Both teams sat first and second in the league with 94 and 89 points respectively.

A bright and extremely breezy, but relatively mild, afternoon unfolded in the West Midlands. A large crowd had gathered to watch this much anticipated fixture and Harborough faced playing the first half into a 40mph wind. The game had hardly launched into the opening skirmishes when Jack Digby received a red card. In what seemed to be a rugby collision, the upright Harborough forward was adjudged to have made head contact with the opposition player. As we have seen recently, accident or not, players receive marching orders. It certainly seemed a harsh decision and would make the remaining 75 minutes more difficult.

It wasn't long after this incident that the home sides left winger darted over in the left corner and the conversion sailed over on the wind. 7-0 to Nuneaton. The visiting fans were expecting the worse and an avalanche of kicks deep into the Harborough 22 would surely unfold. The premonition didn't occur as the visitors rallied and started to deny 'Hurricane Katy". For the next twenty minutes Harborough crashed into Nuneaton forwards and played most of the rugby in Nuneaton's half, it was a momentous effort.

A trademark Monty Maule break nearly broke the home sides defensive shape, penalties began to go Harborough's way and Josh Purnell and Sam Staff combined to put Will Marriot in on the right side corner. The conversion had no chance in the powerful wind but Harborough were back in the game 7-5.

Nuneaton received a yellow card to even numbers up for a while and the rest of the half the two sides were evenly matched. However just before the whistle for the break, the Nuneaton full back crashed over underneath the posts to score. Rather unexpectedly the conversion sailed wide and at half time it was 12-5.

Harborough turn with the wind turned out to as difficult as Nuneaton had experienced. In order to establish field position you have to secure consistent ball. The first half effort the visiting forwards had put in was beginning to tell and although the game was 'fast and loose' it was Nuneaton, who against the wind who went over in the right hand corner. 17-5.

Within 15 minutes of half time, Nuneaton had a catch and drive from the lineout and scored what was to be the bonus point try that clinched the league title. With the conversion the score widened to 24-5. The game was running away from Harborough as the home side continued to control the ball and the game. Harborough never took a backward step and made Nuneaton work for every yard of territory. Waterfield, Burrows and Ford leading the resistance, but the whole pack should receive plaudits. With the wind making lineout throwing difficult Nuneaton pounced again brushing of tiring defenders to take the score to 29-5.

The points could have started to rack up for the home team, but Harborough reenergised themselves for a final charge through Nuneaton's ranks. A Josh Purnell break resulted in a high tackle on the scrum half, a quick tap penalty and Purnell was off again. Two pairs of hands later Tom Claffey rumbled through a tackle to touchdown for a richly deserved final score.
FT 29-10

Congratulations to Nuneaton on the League Title.
With Lutterworth collecting 5 points at Oadby Wyggs, Harborough slipped to third in the final league placings. The coaches and players should be immensely pleased with the league campaign, amassing 89 points is no mean feat.

So as attention turns to the County Cup Semi-Final this Thursday evening (11th April) Kick off 7.00pm, we'll leave you with a few comments reflecting the season.

"Brilliant season. Well done Nuns and good luck next season"
"A season to be proud of. All lads local to Harborough. Great rugby and a great club from minis to firsts".
"You have a lot to be proud of, keep smiling. Good luck Thursday".
"Great bunch of lads within a great club. Proud of you all. Another awesome season".
"A fantastic season lads we are so proud of you all. Now let's go and win the county Cup again"
"Great season fellas. Really good effort"
"Superb league campaign and now a cup semi final to go for."
"Harborough are a team to be proud of."
"You were so brilliant today! So proud! Well done boys!!!"
".... great season and brilliant bunch of lads. Fantastic effort by all over the whole season and today with amazing coaches and physio team it’s been an absolute pleasure to watch all season. Also amazing work by our grounds team to keep our pitch in such great condition and I would go to say the best pitch in the league. Finally superb service from Gary and all his bar staff over the season. Incredible rugby club.