Young guns and older heads combine as Harborough 2nds overwhelm Long Buckby

Harborough 2nds travelled to Long Buckby on a wet and murky afternoon bolstered by 6 u18’s drafted from the game-less Colts. It soon became apparent that handling was going to be difficult and mistakes for the visitors put themselves under early pressure and, unable to clear their lines conceded a short range try. Fortunately, considering the number of knock-ons the front row of Weston, Lawniczak and Charlesworth held sway in the scrums and set a good platform for several bullocking runs from Chris Naylor, one of those resulting in a score under the posts. Henry Davis converted 5-7. Opting for a more territorial game Harborough pushed the hosts back and sharp work from Cam Boa, spoiling at the line out and popping to fellow colt Charlie Beard for the 9 to score his 2nd senior try 5-12. Harborough started to get the upper hand now and the diminutive Beard scored again from a lineout, mopping up the loose ball and being mauled 10 yards by his forwards HT 5-17.
Despite playing uphill, Harborough began to master the conditions and looked to play more expansive rugby, good hands from backs and forwards gave Colt Joe Price a first senior try. 5-22. Another good moved took play quickly from one flank to another to give an easy run in for Full Back Ollie Marriot. 5-27. Long Buckby were now getting rattled and the penalty count was going up, James Wheeler scored from a 5m penalty and Ryan Gibson appkied the finishing touch to a scrum driven 5m, Davis adding the extras 5-39. Price added his second, pouncing on a loose ball fumbled over the line. 5-44. One of the best tries, considering the conditions was scored by Jack Williams. Starting an attack from inside their own 22, the ball moved along the backs and found Williams on a great line, with support outside he was able to find gap in the defence and gas it to the line. Final Score 5-49