Under 11s County Cup action

Sunday 24th February 2013

County Cup Preliminaries
Group C at Melton Mowbary RFC

Market Harborough U11s Team 2

Harborough had three games to play in this bitterly cold qualification round for the County Cup, and took on Oadby Whyggs, Hinckley and hosts Melton.

Game 1
Harborough Vs Oadby

With key man Alex Nicholson unable to play because of illness the team was shuffled some and stepped out to take on Oadby with only two reserves on the bench. Despite the chill Harborough were all revved up and ready for action determined to make their mark. From the off it was clear that Oadby would be no pushover, the Harborough forwards pounded them keeping much of the game in the Whyggs half, but, every effort was held off. It was not until a huge drive from a ruck that gave Second Row Tom Wainwright the opportunity to punch through the defence to claim the games first try. Oadby refused to lose heart and early in the second half replied in kind levelling the score. Nonetheless the Harborough spirit was unbroken. Tremendous runs from Douglas Ralston and Will House in the backs kept Oadby on their toes. Harborough piled on the pressure taking the best of the rucks and mauls, Prop Charlie Power in particular acting as a one man bulldozer driving for the line. As the game came near to a close a ruck close to the Oadby tryline saw Harborough pushing with all their strength, as the ball was drawn to the back Scrum Half Dan Hands seized the opportunity to dive over and scored the winner.

Final Score
Harborough 2 Whyggs 1

Game 2
Harborough Vs Hinckley

After a brief rest Harborough faced Hinckley. Once agin Harborough's forwards dominated the rucks and scrums, Second Row Ollie Hoare battered his way through again and again and superb support play from Prop Thomas Melody and Hookers William Henderson and Theo Barre kept Hinckley in a constant state of alarm. Fly Half Matthew Brucciani made a thorough nuisance of himself at all times with his weaving runs and clever dummies. It was however the backs who broke through the defences. Fullback Josh Ford demonstrating just what a powerful sprinter he is by taking a try in both the first and second half.

FinalScore
Harbough 2 Hinckley 0

Game 3
Harborough Vs Melton

Where the first two games had been a real battle the final game against hosts Melton was a very different affair. Melton had had a tough morning and as the temperature seemingly started to drop they looked to have had enough. Harborough by contrast were on fire. After an initially slow start during which Harborough probed Melton's defences play went up a gear. The Harborough forwards drove Melton back to their half where they remained for much of the game. Scrum Half Dan Hands pestered Meton's opposite number to such an extent that he barely able to contribute to the match. Ollie Hoare claimed the first try and Winger Jack Rowlatt punched through for the second. As Melton's strength started to drain Hoare cliamed another, and a superb run from Ford followed by a nifty offload allowed Rowlatt to claim his second leaving Melton in chaos. In the second half Harborough maintained the unrelenting pressure. Winger Morgan Potter was unlucky to be cught short of the line, but Ford claimed the fith try and Wainwright, demonstrating that second row can sprint just as well, found himself isolated but far clear of Melton's defenders to score number six. Winger William Dawson who had been busy during all three games earned his just deserts sprinting home a seventh try to seal Melton's fate.

Final Score
Harborough 7 Melton 0

A tremendous performance from Harborough 2, great rucking solid tackling and hefty scrummage claimed the day and they should be justly proud. Team player of the day went to Josh Ford for his generosity and spirit.

The County finals await. Well done Harborough.

Tim Hands
Coach