Harbrough 2nds light up Northampton Road with a stunning 50-26 victory

Cosby visited Northampton Road on Saturday for a Merit table fixture and an entertaining game of contrasting styles was on the cards. Cosby always have big players and Saturday was no exception but Harborough have pace in the backs and therefore had to ensure good quality ball from the tight piece. The pack was bolstered by young Adam Stamp in the second row and together with Josh Jones they provided a solid platform for the front row. It was also good to see Luke Mathers and Fred Highton combining well on the flanks, providing pace and tackle power. Despite the disadvantage in weight this provided a solid platform for the backs but it was Cosby who used their power to score two early tries and with one conversion were soon 12-0 to the good but Harborough fought back and it was not long before Harborough had reduced the deficit with a try from Mason Tye. Two more followed , first through the impressive Josh Jones and shortly after through Theo Haynes who was benefitted from the excellent midfield combination of Joel Nance and Geordan Stuart who were created space for the wingers where Cosby lacked pace. With one conversion Harborough were now 17-12 in the lead but a failure to secure the ball from the kick off gave Cosby field position and although the defence held firm Cosby eventually crossed for a further try and conversion which restored their lead 19-17. Harborough fought back and scored one of the best tries of the ball was fed through the backs to Geordan Stuart who made a searing break and running in to the defence in the 22 was able t0o pass to Joel Nance for a simple touch down but the conversion was once again missed so Harborough having secured their bonus point try were only 22-19 in the lead.. Again Cosby came back and crossed wide out to score their 4th try and with the conversion added they reach the half way stage 26-22 to the good. Harborough made a couple of changes at half time and Josh Haynes starting on the wing scored an excellent try soon after the restart with a trade mark run and show and go to fox the defence and run in under the posts for a converted try which put Harborough 29-26 to the good. With the Harborough pack more than holding their own the Harborough backs were creating openings one of which led to Mike Lowe crossing for a try but in trying to make it behind the posts he dislocated his shoulder in the act of touching down. Harborough then lost scrum Half Tom Mercer with a broken hand and stand off Carl Stricson to knee injury. If Cosby thought that this would weaken Harborough they were however mistaken as Alex Wright made an excellent stand in number 9 and Harborough continued to dominate and refused to be phased by late or high tackles. They added two further tries through Josh Jones and then Luke William following excellent work by Josh Haynes and Joel Nance. Haynes added the conversions to put Harborough 50-26 in the lead. The referee finally lost patience with Cosby and issued a yellow card for yet another late high tackle but Harborough can be proud of a second half performance which saw them score 28 unanswered points and tackle Cosby to defeat.