The game had been in doubt earlier in the week. Our fantastic grounds team, Tony, Mark, Steve, Roy, and Rich, have worked tirelessly this week to get the pitches in order for the weekend. Without them, we would not have games.
A good crowd was in position, anticipating a Harborough victory. A changed side, from last week’s epic win at Bedford, due to injuries and unavailability, did not disappoint.
The first points on the board were scored by Sam Staff within the first five minutes after a typically robust drive by Jack Digby. Monty Maule converted to open his scoring. Sam Staff would go on to score a hat-trick of tries. This was quickly followed up by tries from Harley Williams and the versatile Tom Claffey, playing at full back this week. Wellingborough’s backs and forwards were under massive pressure, but they never gave up.
Sam Staff went over for the fourth and important bonus point try. Josh Purnell popped up to score the fifth. Wellingborough got a drive moving forward and worked the ball well to open their scoring. Harborough came back once more, and the dynamic Sam Staff went over for his third. Monty converted. Half-time score: 36:5.

The first fifteen minutes of the second half became a bit of a turgid affair. It was pretty even but was never going to stay like this. The impressive Jack Rowlatt burst through and scored in the corner. A yellow card for Will Marriott followed, and within a few minutes, Henry Moss was also receiving a yellow card, as was the Wellingborough seven. Thirteen against fourteen.
With the bench being emptied, the game approached its final moments. Monty Maule broke through to score and convert.

 A Wellingborough attack was thwarted close to the Harborough line. The stylish Josh Purnell suffered a head injury and was helped from the field (Tom Claffey went to scrum-half). He will spend the next ten days recovering in the warm climes of Barbados. The other lads requiring treatment will have to put up with the warmish treatment room at the clubhouse.
Just before the visiting referee from Warwickshire blew for "no side" (look it up if you are too young to remember), Monty Maule darted over for Harborough’s ninth try and it was duly converted. An all-round professional team effort. Final score: 57:5

The Alickadoos voted for the man of the match award to go to Josh Ford for his totally committed performance in both attack and defence.

Next Saturday, we are at home against Daventry. Kick-off will revert to 2:15. Please get along to Northampton Road to support the lads as the season enters an exciting phase.

Tony Cochrane

In error, last week it was reported that Ollie Spokes scored a try at Bedford. My mistake, the try was in fact scored by the man mountain Jack Digby. How I missed that, I am not sure. I was possibly on a refreshment break. Remarkably, that takes the prop to eleven tries this season. More of the same, please Diggers.