New recruit Brian Atwiine stars with 4 tries as Harborough overcome Pinguin RFC from Sweden

While Harborough 1st XV were on the wrong end of a 32-18 defeat away to Belgrave in the LRU Cup the 2nd XV welcomed Swedish touring side, Pinguin 2nds, to Northampton Road. With both teams fielding a mixed line up of youth and experience it turned out to be an entertaining afternoon for the spectators with Harborough proving too strong for the tourists. Both sides took a bit of time to settle with a number of handling errors but it was evident from the start that the Harborough pack were stronger and this provided the platform that Harborough needed. With Colts number 10, Jack Leather playing his first game for the senior side he showed that he is one to watch for the future as he created space and secured territory. It was not long before Harborough were on the scoresheet when Josh Dare, having an excellent game at open side, touched down near the posts with Leather converting to put Harborough 7-0 in the lead. This was followed by a flowing backs move that led to Nick Boxall showing good hands and pace to touch down wide out and soon after centre Geordan Stout added a third try to secure a 17-0 lead. Pingvin however possessed some strong runners and their young centre proved how good they were as he raced clear beating despairing tackles to touch down near the posts that with the conversion reduced the deficit to 17-7. There was more to come however as the all-powerful Harborough pack drove forward from a 5 metre scrum and debutant Brian Atwiine showed excellent control to touch down and bring the half time score to 22-7. The second half continued as in the first with some rampaging runs by James Wayman joined now by skipper Kev Howley. The tries came thick and fast, the first a deserved score for Rory Jeacock who was showing some deft touches. Pinguin were suffering injuries and were grateful to be lent a couple of players from Harborough but the gaps were beginning to open up in the centre. This was the opportunity that Atwiine wanted and to prove that he was not only excellent at the base of the scrum and in the air at the line out but he has sheer pace. Twice he picked up ball at the ruck from near the half way line to race in for tries under the posts and then he appeared on the wing to score his fourth try all converted by Jake Thornton with Harborough taking a commanding 48-7 lead. To Pingvin’s credit they never gave in and having come close on a couple of occasions they finally touched down for a well-deserved second try. The final scores however went to Harborough, the first to a rampaging Matthew Sankey, converted by Thornton and the final score to cap a fine individual performance by Jack Smith who not only touched down but added the extras for a final score of 62-17 to Harborough. Credit must go to the tourists for contributing to an excellent and entertaining game making it a true rugby occasion.