A Boxing Day treat was served up for Supporters at Harborough Rugby Club

A true Festive rugby fest was served up on Boxing Day as Harborough welcomed Kettering to Northampton Road in their annual fixture based loosely on U24 players with a few older ones who pretend that they are still of a young age. With so many back from University Harborough had 42 players available with only a handful of 1st team players. Kettering had 30 and to ensure all players were involved the game was made up of three 30 minute periods. The 1st period saw Harborough field a team made up from Colts players of the past 3 years and what they may have lacked in experience was countered by the skill level. Kettering had a dominant pack but Harborough held their own and took the lead when a series of passes saw the ball passed wide to Joe Margetts who raced in from 40 metres for a try. The conversion was made by kicker for the day Callum Blair who was showing no ill-effects from shoulder surgery and his team mates expect him to be playing again next week!!!!? Kettering then reduced the deficit to 7-5 with a try of their own before they made a series of mistakes and Harborough took full advantage with Harvey Slade touching down under the posts, Blair again converted for a 14-5 lead. Kettering’s big pack were however gaining momentum and the pressure told as they advanced to the Harborough 5 metre line before releasing to their winger to touch down. An excellent conversion bought the score to 14-12 and the end of the first period. The second period saw a completely new line up for Harborough and within a few minutes they had scored again through Fin Clarke with Blair adding the extras, 21-12. Harborough continued to press but just as they looked to be adding to their score line the pass was intercepted in Kettering’s 22 and they raced up field to score the try that with the conversion reduced the deficit to 21-19. Harborough then upped their game and a pick up by Henry Povoas saw him score under the posts. Unfortunately the conversion was missed by Blair as the ball was allegedly blown of the kicking tee. Two further tries followed, the first was courtesy of Clarke’s second and this was followed by a storming run by Will Merry. Blair converted both to give Harborough a 38-19 lead at the end of the second period. Having been dominant in the first two periods the tables were turned in the final period as Kettering’s pack out-muscled Harborough and ensured territorial advantage throughout. This led to 3 tries for the visitors but with only two conversions the final score was 38-38 a fitting end to a great morning of rugby enjoyed by a big crowd. Thanks must go to the bar and catering staff for turning out on Boxing Day and we look forward to the game next year at Kettering