Harborough seconds lose to the power of South Leicester

After a winning run Harborough seconds could not match the power of a big, well drilled South Leicester side whose pack all looked at least 2-3 stones heavier than Harborough .

From the kick off their intentions were clear as they drove Harborough back with a series of rucks and quick ball spending most of the first 20 minutes in the Harborough 22. One break from South was only stopped by an excellent Nick Airey tackle and although the defence was invariably solid the same could not be said for their work around the rucks where all too often South were able to break through. The exception was scrum half James Stubbs who tackled relentlessly continually stopping South drives. A score was however inevitable and it came with a try wide out from South which was excellently converted by ex Harborough Colt, Spencer Gardiner. Not to be outdone Harborough fought back straight from the kick off and a good move was finished off by Charley Standley. This had the desired effect and Harborough upped their game. They were however going backwards in the scrum and struggling in the line outs but George Thornton, returning from injury, demonstrated his strength and skill, picking up from a ruck and powering through despairing tackles to run between the posts. The conversion by Stubbs made it an unlikely 12-7 to Harborough at the break.

From the second half kick off Harborough were somewhat unlucky as although there was a clear knock on on the South 22 the referee played the advantage but with Harborough back on the 10 metre line the scrum was then given to South. This allowed South to attack and they once again touched down for a converted try. Not to be outdone, with Thornton at the fore, Harborough managed to get good ball to the backs and it was left to super-sub Fergus Clarke to touch down wide out. Although Harborough's game improved they were unable to breech the South defence and as they pushed forward an interception by Gardiner led to him racing 65 metres to touch down for a try that he duly converted for a personal tally of 11 points against his old club. This left time for one more South try against a tiring pack with the final score 26-17 to the home team although Harborough will be able to take some positives from the game not least for their commitment and fitness.