Coming on Strong

Leicester Forest have always run us close and we often meet in the latter stages of the County Cup. They are a good side, well drilled and with quality through the team. They worked harder than Harborough for the win, and we coughed up possession too easily.

The first half was predictably tight. Forest were recycling ball quickly and hit the breakdown faster, but Harborough’s defence was up to the job and there was no way through. The scrum was marginally better for Harborough, but they could not build a platform in attack, with Forest’s defence holding steady. Despite territorial advantage, Harborough were not able to transfer this to the scoreboard.

Late in the half and an interception by Forest well in to their own half resulted in a breakaway try, the runner taking good angles and outrunning the covering defence. Converted, the half time score was 7 – 0 to the hosts.

The early exchanges in the second half were tight, to the extent that Forest opted to kick a penalty to take the score to 10 – 0. Forest took their next score well, taking advantage of a fumbled Harborough penalty and recycling quickly. The score was again converted and Harborough were 17 – 0 down and deeply uncomfortable.

The third try for Forest showed their quality. The ball found its way out to the left wing, who ran beautifully to make the score 22 – 0.

To their credit, Harborough kept up the work rate and were eventually rewarded with a try for Max Dalby who powered over the line from close range. Will Hallam converted to leave the final score at 7 – 22.

Credit to Forest for this victory. Their offloading game gave them quick ball, and they were quicker at the rucks to retain or win possession. On the front foot, they took full advantage.