The third final of the week involving Harborough teams saw the U17s play Melton RFC in the County Final. This is a great competition as it merges the younger Colts year with the current Under 16s to play together, before they become next season's Colts team together.
A trip to the outskirts of Blaby home of Leicester Lions was the reward, to face Melton RFC U17's.
The slightly early kick off caught some of the spectators unaware and from the start, Harborough did the same to Melton. Harborough reclaimed their kick off and immediately pressured the Melton defence. After no more than 2 minutes they broke through to score, Ellis Hepworth finishing a fine team move in the right corner. George Williams didn't mind the kick from the edge and ensured a 7:0 lead to Harborough.
Not for the last time in the evening Melton were awarded a penalty in the Harborough 22 in front of the posts. Having found no way through Harborough's defence they opted to take the 3 points. 7:3
Harborough again pressured Melton from the restart and in a repeat of the first try, Hepworth got his second out wide. No conversion this time, 12:3.
Following a warning after yet more penalties awarded to Melton, Redford was the unlucky recipient of the team yellow card.
Despite being a man down, Harborough took the game to Melton again and as the ball was recycled out left, Max Fletcher received it and with a delightful dummy sent the defenders the wrong way allowing him to score Harborough's third try.
Melton couldn't make the most of the numerical advantage and the half time score was 17:3

In the second half, it didn't take long for Harborough to extend the lead, Albert Abel receiving the ball at pace and sending a defender the wrong way allowing him a clear run in to score under the posts. Charlie Smith had the kicking duty now and converted, 24:3
More Harborough pressure followed and Jude Smith charged down an attempted clearance kick superbly then regathered to score. Struggling with the kicking tee, Smith opted to drop kick the conversion, 31:3

There was then a sustained period of Melton pressure, due in no small way to the very high number of penalties Harborough were conceding, but the defence held strong, defence was turned into a breakaway attack and this time not content with taking conversions, Charlie Smith scored himself, but left himself a tricky conversion which he missed. 36:3

Melton to their credit again started attacking. Yet more penalties and another team warning for Harborough. They were caught napping from the ensuing penalty and Melton scored a converted try, 36:10

Harborough had a couple more attempts at scoring thwarted by forward passes, but it didn't affect the result. Full time and retaining the U17 County Cup, Market Harborough 36 Melton 10

After the U16s winning the County Cup on Sunday, the Men's First Team winning the Senior County Cup on Monday and now the U17's winning theirs, it's turning into quite a week for Market Harborough RUFC. Well done to all players involved throughout this competition and to the coaches for creating a team from 2 different groups that has gelled so well. It bodes well for next season.