The black cats travelled to Stamford following last week’s loss to Peterborough. With a changed side from last week, this was always going to be a difficult encounter for this young team. The game did not disappoint. With a good number of Harborough supporters in attendance, the visitors started the game on the front foot. A series of drives eventually opened up the hosts’ defence, and over went the impressive Ethan Shewring to score. Joe Lafferty, today playing at 10 converted to take the score to 7-0. Stamford came back almost immediately, and Harborough were dropping a few tackles, which allowed the home side centre to find space and put through his outside man to score. With the conversion missed 7-5. Stamford was then awarded a kickable penalty: 7-8. One thing we are learning about this side is that they will not take a step back. The Harborough back row, with the returning Jack Brown, captain Sam Staff and the pocket dynamo Tom Herdman, were having an influence on the game. This would continue for the whole game. Sam Staff was making inroads into the Stamford defence. Unsurprisingly, the captain went over for Harborough’s second try 12-8. Not converted; as the half-time whistle approached, the home team, with some precise handling, went over to take the score to 12-13. The conversion was successful. Stamford attacked again; a try-saving tackle by Max Dalby and some brave defence from Joe Lafferty, getting under the ball for a drop-out under the post, was the final moment of a competitive and hard-fought forty minutes. Half-time score 12-15.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first. Stamford came back to score their third try.
The men in black, across the whole team, were putting their bodies on the line. As the ball again went through the backs, Will Marriott was put away to score. The score now stood at 17-20.
As the end of the game approached, one last attack was mounted in the home side’s half. The ball was kept available and full-back Ollie Stanbridge found space. He did what he so often does: with elusive running, he beat several tackles to go over the whitewash. With the conversion missed and only 4 minutes left, it took a heroic effort to keep Stamford out, but finally, Jake Dowling kicked the ball into touch and the referee from Notts, Lincs and Derby blew for no side. Final score 22-20. A try bonus point was also in the bag. All 18 players contributed to a fine and gutsy performance. The outstanding Tom Herdman was rightly man of the match.
Next week the team travels away for the third week in a row to play Nuneaton. The following week there is a Presidents’ lunch as we host Shelford for the first time.
A note for your diary. Next Friday, the 23rd of October, we are delighted to be hosting Tigers under-23s again. They play Blackheath. Kick-off 7:30. Please come along to an evening under the lights at Northampton Road.

Tony Cochrane