Wrecking Ball(s)

Long Eaton were short of players, so Spencer Derry, Mathew Stamp and Keiran Silcott provided their services to the opposition, and certainly gave it their all throughout.

Harborough crossed the line for a total of thirteen tries in a game split into two. The score at half time was 52 – 0, but Long Eaton were keen to continue and so the second half was restarted at 0 – 0. That second period ended 31 – 7 to the home side.

The forwards were rampant for Harborough, with Cameron Jordan and Harry Grimmett both bagging hat-tricks, and further scores from Will Hallam and Alejandro Scott. The backs didn’t let the forwards have it all to themselves – Ed Duggan, Jack Woodward, Huw Davies and Tom Mercer all made it on to the scoresheet, along with conversions from Hallam and Tom Pope.

The forward dominance came from powerful rucking and tackling, with some great running making life very difficult for Long Eaton. The back row combined wonderfully on a number of occasions, with James Melody at his best chasing, harrying and stealing to keep Harborough moving forward. The tries were scored from everywhere – stolen line out ball (thank you, Adam Stamp), a hack upfield (Morgan Jones), a lucky chip ahead (Melody and Mercer combining) and too many great breaks to count.

With all credit to them, Long Eaton never wilted and kept playing to the end. A deserved try for their winger was reward for their efforts, but overall Harborough were dominant and in control throughout.