Nine tries for Second XV as they run Old Scouts ragged

Harborough seconds were able to field a competitive pack for the first time this year and it showed as returning players Ed Sumpter, Joe Caunt and Tom Lee all had impressive games helping to inspire the rest of the pack to dominate Old Scouts. The back line has always looked impressive and with scrum half James Stubbs having an excellent game Harborough were able to run riot over a well-organised Scouts team. It still took 25 minutes for Harborough to score but the first try was special as backs and forwards combined and Fergus Clarke shrugged off tackles to touch down. Immediately from the kick off the ball was collected by Lee Butler on his own 22 and he made yards before the impressive Sumpter and the centre partnership took the ball into the opposition half before pushing the ball wide to Harry Hurst who was then able to pass the ball over the defensive line for Joel Nance to beat the defence and touch down for try number 2. Harborough continued to press and their dominant scrum was causing real problems for the home side and eventually after repeated penalties a quick tap ended with Caunt touching down for the final score of the half to put Harborough 15-0 in front. The only concern was that they should have been further ahead and also lost Fergus Clarke to a yellow card on 39 minutes for what most observers thought was a perfectly legal tackle. The concern was raised from the restart as Scouts gathered the ball and stretched it wide to score in the corner and reduce the arrears. This seemed to inspire Harborough and they upped their game with Sumpter showing pace and strength to touch down with Nick Airey converting and on 50 minutes Clarke was back on the field to race through and score his second try. This was followed shortly after by a Stubbs try under the points with Airey adding the extras before Clarke completed his hat-trick after string running from Aaron Lyle, with Airey again converting. Harborough were now in complete control and it was Harvey Slade who now made the break for Sumpter to score his second with Stubbs converting. Clarke then made the running for Stubbs to touch down with Airey converting. Harborough then relaxed and Scouts were able to get a score back but a final score of 55-10 could have been greater had touch downs by Caunt and Ben Lawniczak had not been disallowed.