Welford Road has seen some classic rugby matches over the years and two of Leicestershire's local rugby clubs served up a classic game to match the venue.

The game was played on a chilly evening with a slight breeze travelling from the Welford to Aylestone Road!!

Harborough put out a strong team, but were missing unavailable 2nd row Jack Burrows, young Josh Ford stepped in the the engine room of the pack. The game started brightly for Harborough as Tom Claffey crossed over in the left hand corner after a incisive break from fly half Monty Maule. Harborough led 5-0. Within six minutes Harborough extended their lead with a powerful midfield break by Jake Sterland who scored close to the posts. Harborough duly converted and led 12-0.

It looked like this was going to be a one sided contest, but Oadby had other ideas, establishing good field position inside Harborough's twenty two metre line. The powerful Oadby pack drove over to reduce the arrears to 12-7. A Oadby infringement gave Harborough the opportunity to move 15-7 ahead.

The patterns of play from each side were beginning to emerge, Harborough's terrier like backrow securing some quality ball for some fast running backs. Oadby relied more on their forwards and gained scrummage supremacy which released their half backs.

It became soon apparent that Harborough's fly half Monty Maule was struggling with a leg injury and a number of well crafted wide passes just failed to get Harborough's mercurial backs over the line. Oadby fought hard to get back in the game and again and scored another try from an attacking scrum that was converted to close the gap to within one point.

With minutes of the first half left Harborough's desire to run from all parts of the paddock resulted in turn over ball for Oadby and a high hanging kick up field. Sam Staff fielded the high kick but his wide pass was intercepted and Oadby ran in from 30 metres to lead 15-21 at half time.

Just before half time, this weeks off-field entertainment was provided by Nick Airey who positioned himself to catch a kick to touch, whilst holding liquid refreshment. Close but no cigar!!!

Harborough emerged after the break full of vim and vigour, trying to put behind them a disappointing last ten minutes of the first half. It didn't take long for a well crafted move down the left touchline to result in a second Tom Claffey try. The Harvey Slade pop pass will remain long in the memory. Harborough were back to within a point at 20-21.

The impressive Jack Elliot, Oadby's Number 10, slotted a penalty to move the Leicester side ahead 21-24. It soon got worse for Harborough as some barnstorming runs and forward play saw Oadby camp near the Black Cats try line. A well worked blind side run, with very little space, saw Oadby score and convert to widen the gap to 20-31. Oadby looked like they had broken Harborough with their powerful forward play and the the spectators from Harborough probably feared the worse.

With 20 minutes remaining Harborough had two forays to the Oadby try line but were foiled by great defence and some ill discipline. The feisty nature of this period of play resulted in a yellow card for both teams. There was a spark of defiance spreading through the Harborough team and the next 15 minutes turned the game on its head with Jack Digby, Tim Waterfield and Sam Blades bulldozing into the opposition forwards. Jack Brown provided some wonderful link play to the backs and Henry Moss reigned supreme in the line out.

Harborough did score in the right hand corner, through Joe Lafferty, to give them belief they could turn the game around. The kicking duties were shared between Tom Claffey and Harry Durham but the wide scores were proving challenging to gain the extra two points.
Harborough continued to attack with ball in hand when territorial kicking might have been the better option. Their faith was duly rewarded, a Josh Purnell break and a one handed offload saw Jake Sterland dive over in the corner. May be.... just May be there was light at the end of the tunnel.

It was Sam Staff who turned from sinner to saint, to put together a series of line breaking runs, one of which resulted him crossing the white wash. Young Staff had a truly memorable second half. With 5 minutes left Harborough now led 35-34. Staff, now injured went off to rapturous applause.

What unfolded next was possibly the moment of the match. A booming mid-field tackle led to spilt ball which Tom Herdman collected and galloped in from 22 metres to score to the right of the posts. Up stepped Harry Durham to slot over an all important conversion to give Harborough a 42-34 eight point lead. Absolute'scenes' broke out in the stands from the Harborough supporters.

So the game plan in the remaining few minutes to see out the game.....well no one told Oadby that. A penalty for being in front of the kicker, saw Oadby probe deep into Harborough territory. Once a game the Oadby forwards battered the impressive Harborough defence, honourable mentions for Jon Mundy and Pat Grady who were brought on to shore up the barricades. Eventually, the resolute defenders were out manoeuvred and Oadby scored and converted to bring the game back to 42-41.
However, this was to be the last action of the match and Oadby's valiant effort just fell short.

Harborough's route to the final saw them overcome previous finalists Syston and Lutterworth. For the first time in the Market Harborough's history the Leicestershire County Cup resides at the club in their Centenary season.

In the aftermath, a few words for Jenny Burrows, the referee, who showed why she is one of Leicestershire premier referees. Thanks to Leicestershire Rugby Union and Leicester Tigers for the logistics, where they have given some players the experience of a lifetime. The stadium announcer and scoreboards also added to the sense of occasion.

Finally to the players and coaches of both sides, it was a credit to the game of rugby football union. There will many former players looking down from on high with immense pride in these Leicestershire Clubs.