Seconds lose out at Syston

The second team travelled to Syston without their captain Kev Howley who was helping out the Vets.
From the kick off the big Syston forwards drove upfield with the referee blind to their continual illegal rucking. It took time for Harborough to settle but with the back row of Joe Price, James Sutton and Tim Brown on fire and Callum Ralston outstanding in the second row, Harborough fought back and started to make forays into Syston Territory where at last an infringment was spotted and Henry Davis cooly slotted the penalty to take a 3 point lead.. Syston fought back and they levelled with a penalty from in front the post. The huge boot of Luke Montague helped Harborough gain ground but the first try came when Syston kicked into the Harborough 22. the ball was collected by Tim Brown who ran upfield straight into the first tackler Boom and he was decked, second tacklier BOOM and someone asked if Michael Woodford was playing. Tackler number 3 Boom but a tackle around the legs finally bought big Tim down in the Syston 22 but after some recycling the ball went wide to Mason Tye who went over in the Corner 8-3 to Harborough. Harbporough were now in the ascendancy but were unable to cross the whitewash again in the first half thanks mainly to some strange decisions and leniency at the breakdown. The second half started as the first But Ralston had to leave the field with a head injury followed soon after by Brown the victim of a deliberate stamp on his knee at a ruck which strangely resulted only ijn a penalty and no card. Then when Harborough failed to clear their lines the game turned on another decision. With Harbrough pinned on their line, Syston attacked but as they threw a wild pass the ball went to ground and the Harborough rush defence was good but the referree adjudged there to be a deliberate knock on and awarded a penalty try depite there being no clear try scoring opportunity. With that Syston took the lead 10-8 and although Mason Tye got his second touch down to briefly retake the lead, Syston had renewed confidence and their streetwise forwards and scrum half knew how to play the referree. This led to 3 further scores for a 29-13 victory for the the home team although that flattered them. The positives for Harborough were many with least years Colts, Geordan Stout, and Charlie Beard making an impact and the more expereienced Joshua Jones, Will Taylor and Jobe Jeacock impressive as was the returning Rory Jeacock - where has he been for the past few years??? All howver deserve a mention with perhaps a second mention for Joe Price who is a couple of years younger than Kev Howley but standing in as captain he showed maturity beyond his years. All he has to do is give up his silly job with Leicester Tigers and make himself available every week.