Stormy Start but Harborough Sail to Success

The remnants of the morning’s rain meant the pitch was damp and heavier underfoot than in previous weeks. Harborough playing against the elements quickly established field position but made a number of mistakes which handed the initiative back to the visitors.

An early Monty Maule penalty, from a scrum infringement, got the scoreboard ticking. Within minutes the Newbold fly half had levelled the scores at 3-3.

Harborough regained the lead when Newbold ventured offside and once again Maule sent over the resulting kick. 6-3. It looked like the first try of the match was about to be scored when inexplicably the ball flicked out of Tim Waterfield’s grasp as he crossed the line.

A crunching tackle by Will Marriot seamed to ‘buoy’ the team and after a slickly timed Harry Durham pass, Sam Staff sailed over. Monty Maule duly converted. 13-3. Harborough were more energised and after a powerful Jack Digby drive from a lineout, Josh Purnell fed Tom Herdman who scored out on the starboard side. Against the wind Monty Maule’s conversion kick looked like it was doomed to fall short, but up went the ‘mainsail’ and over it went.

Such is the supporter’s expectation this season, the first forty could be considered below par. However, against the wind, the home side still led at half time 20-3.

After a few 'stern' words at the break, any thoughts Harborough had of an easy start to the second half, were dashed within minutes. Newbold's powerful forwards were rewarded with a try and closed the gap to 20 points to 8.

Joe Lafferty continued his season’s ‘fine form’ with a kick to put Harborough deep into the visitor’s territory. Three phases of play later and Jack Brown found himself in oceans of space and raced in close to the posts. Monty Maule duly converted. 27-8. After a testing first half the home side were begging to lift their game.

Harborough were beginning to recycle the ball more regularly and after a solid scrum, Josh Purnell ‘tacked’ his way up the pitch. The ensuing backs play saw Lafferty raise the ‘spinnaker’ and score out wide on the port side. Maule once again judged the wind to perfection and Harborough led 34-8 with a bonus point for their fourth try.

The Black Cats had begun to wear the opposition down and were well in control of the game. Ben Richards, Purnell and Maule combined well to put Harborough deep into Newbold’s half. The impressive Tom Herdman kicked ahead and in steamed Joe Lafferty for his second of the match, the conversion took the score to 41-8.

Harborough still had time for a customary Henry Moss ‘leaping lineout catch’, which set up a nuggety drive from Tom Herman and a try to complete the scoring 46-8.

With Lutterworth drawing with Old Scouts, Harborough moved into second place. Harborough will travel to league leaders Northampton Old Scouts, in a fortnight’s time.