Woodford Provides Early Christmas Cheer

The visitors chose to play with the wind and used the strengthening breeze to their advantage in the opening exchanges. Andy Jarvis kicked up field and from the ensuing field position spotted a gap in Lutterworth’s defence to cross the line close to the posts. Harris Medwell kicked the conversion.

Michael Woodford scored the first of his three tries from the base of the scrum, his second came shortly afterwards after a good line off the Harborough fly half. Charlie Foskett scored another push over try as Harborough’s pack got the better of their Lutterworth counterparts.

With Chris Owen returning after injury and the slick hands in the backs Harborough found themselves in the ascendancy. Jarvis, Sumpter and Thorpe all had decent forays into Lutterworth territory.

However in the season of festive cheer and goodwill Santa Claus delivered his first present of the afternoon to Lutterworth. A wayward backhand pass behind Harborough’s try line allowed a simple touchdown for Lutterworth.

Half Time Lutterworth 8 Harborough 22.

Harborough made a number of changes and the introduction of Joe/Jeff/Jack Brown certainly brought some athletic catching skills to the game, even if it confused some spectators on the touchline. Ed Sumpter ran in the first try in the second half which Medwell duly converted.

Lutterworth with the elements behind them pushed Harborough deep into their own territory and but for one or two handling errors would have been right back into the game. Harborough ran the ball back at every opportunity and Harris Medwell, in particular, caught the eye with some darting runs from midfield. The Harlem Globetrotters would have been happy with the dexterity and handling shown by the Harborough backs.

For all Harborough’s power they failed to protect the ball on numerous occasions and Lutterworth turned possession over continued to trouble Harborough. A number of attacking moves also came to a halt when white line fever got the better of Harborough’s judgement and Lutterworth defended resolutely.

Jamie Thorpe and Henry Davis continued their recent good form with assured performances and Charlie Foskett was at his rampaging best. Lutterworth’s No 10 also had a fine game, bringing the home team backs into play and stretching Harborough’s defence. Harborough still had control in the set piece and Michael Woodford scored a second push over try which Harris Medwell converted.

Having delivered a number of presents in the local vicinity Santa returned and laid on a special gift for Lutterworth. A wide miss pass was intercepted by the Lutterworth winger and he ran, with the speed of Santa’s fastest reindeer, to score in the corner.

Andy Jarvis pounced on a spilt ball behind Lutterworth’s line to score the penultimate and Ed Sumpter struck for his second as Lutterworth began to tire. Harris Medwell completed the scoring with a conversion and Harborough 2nds go into the mid-season break in good form.