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Sun 04 Sep 2016
Kettering 
Under 16
26
31
Harborough U15s win at Kettering
Tim Hands4 Sep 2016 - 23:17
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A promising start to a new season.
A new season begins with the first game for the squad against Kettering. There are additions for the boys this time which include lifting at Line Outs, although they remain Uncontested until next year, some new laws regarding mauls, 30min halves, as well as the very welcome addition of former member Harry McCarthy and newcomer Seth Vials. With these changes to handle and a likely tough meeting with Kettering who have a notable reputation as a strong squad there was a sense of nervousness among the supporters, but the lads took it all in their stride.
The referee suggested that the game should be split into two 15minute quarters followed by a 30min half in order not to put too much pressure on the teams and allow them to get back in to rugby after the Summer break.
From the kick off Harborough started strong. They took early possession and put Kettering on the back foot. Retaining possession for some considerable time Harborough were able to keep Kettering pinned in their own half, although Kettering's strong defencive play held Harborough at bay. The game's pace was extraordinary, both teams moved the ball swiftly and attacks ebbed and flowed continuously for the full 15 minutes. As the end of the half approach McCarthy took a hit to the head whilst putting in a heroic rearguard action and had to sit out the rest of the game. After which Kettering managed to score a well earned try just before time missing the conversion to put them 5 points up as the players took a break and made substitutions.
The second quarter proved to be a similar affair, but this time Harborough seemed to just have the edge. Quicker in at rucks and faster up in defence Kettering felt the pressure and buckled a little. Thomas Melody and Ollie Hoare were instrumental in securing ball and fast distribution by Scrum Half Bradley Crane kept the backs constantly on the attack. Early on Seth Vials gave a masterful display of pace and grounded Harborough's first try with a storming run down the Left wing, ably converted by Crane despite the cross wind. Buoyed by their slight lead Harborough seemed to bloom, the forwards counter-rucked aggressively and the backs maintained a breathless pace as they shipped the ball through the hands. Their efforts were rewarded with a second try for Vials and another conversion for Crane. Kettering still looked strong and threatening, but spent much of the quarter in their own half. Harborough were relentless, Fullback Jack Rowlatt scored his first of the season and Vials ran in yet another ahead of the whistle. Crane was unable to convert them but it left the score at 24-5 to Harborough.
With a fairly large deficit to make up Kettering started the last thirty minutes of play with a more determined approach. In an almost mirror of the previous quarter Harborough found themselves on the back foot and defended their lead with intensity. Kettering secured a second try this time converting it to pull the score back to 24-12. Sadly Ben Marshall who had put in a fabulous performance had to retire with a ripped ear injury. Kettering worked hard to try and draw even and made the most of some poor handling by Harborough within their one 5 meters line claiming a third try and conversion. This score appeared to lift their spirits and they could see that they were in sight of pulling ahead of Harborough if they could keep the energy up. Harborough seeing their lead being eaten away gathered their strength and fought back, returning to the kind of swift play that had worked well for them in the second quarter they pushed Kettering back. Harborough suffered another drawback when Scrum Half Geordan Bedford left the field with a hand injury.However they continued to move the ball expertly around looking for the one weakness that they could capitalise on and Vials found it, this time on the right wing, an overlap left him an opportunity to storm over for his fourth try and Crane converted from an unlikely angle to take Harborough up to 31. With only a few minutes left and both teams looking tired Kettering managed to steal a well earned try and conversion ahead of the final whistle.
This was an exciting game with both teams displaying some tremendous skills. Kettering played hard and earned their score, but Harborough had the edge today.
Final score MHRUFC 31 Kettering 26
The referee suggested that the game should be split into two 15minute quarters followed by a 30min half in order not to put too much pressure on the teams and allow them to get back in to rugby after the Summer break.
From the kick off Harborough started strong. They took early possession and put Kettering on the back foot. Retaining possession for some considerable time Harborough were able to keep Kettering pinned in their own half, although Kettering's strong defencive play held Harborough at bay. The game's pace was extraordinary, both teams moved the ball swiftly and attacks ebbed and flowed continuously for the full 15 minutes. As the end of the half approach McCarthy took a hit to the head whilst putting in a heroic rearguard action and had to sit out the rest of the game. After which Kettering managed to score a well earned try just before time missing the conversion to put them 5 points up as the players took a break and made substitutions.
The second quarter proved to be a similar affair, but this time Harborough seemed to just have the edge. Quicker in at rucks and faster up in defence Kettering felt the pressure and buckled a little. Thomas Melody and Ollie Hoare were instrumental in securing ball and fast distribution by Scrum Half Bradley Crane kept the backs constantly on the attack. Early on Seth Vials gave a masterful display of pace and grounded Harborough's first try with a storming run down the Left wing, ably converted by Crane despite the cross wind. Buoyed by their slight lead Harborough seemed to bloom, the forwards counter-rucked aggressively and the backs maintained a breathless pace as they shipped the ball through the hands. Their efforts were rewarded with a second try for Vials and another conversion for Crane. Kettering still looked strong and threatening, but spent much of the quarter in their own half. Harborough were relentless, Fullback Jack Rowlatt scored his first of the season and Vials ran in yet another ahead of the whistle. Crane was unable to convert them but it left the score at 24-5 to Harborough.
With a fairly large deficit to make up Kettering started the last thirty minutes of play with a more determined approach. In an almost mirror of the previous quarter Harborough found themselves on the back foot and defended their lead with intensity. Kettering secured a second try this time converting it to pull the score back to 24-12. Sadly Ben Marshall who had put in a fabulous performance had to retire with a ripped ear injury. Kettering worked hard to try and draw even and made the most of some poor handling by Harborough within their one 5 meters line claiming a third try and conversion. This score appeared to lift their spirits and they could see that they were in sight of pulling ahead of Harborough if they could keep the energy up. Harborough seeing their lead being eaten away gathered their strength and fought back, returning to the kind of swift play that had worked well for them in the second quarter they pushed Kettering back. Harborough suffered another drawback when Scrum Half Geordan Bedford left the field with a hand injury.However they continued to move the ball expertly around looking for the one weakness that they could capitalise on and Vials found it, this time on the right wing, an overlap left him an opportunity to storm over for his fourth try and Crane converted from an unlikely angle to take Harborough up to 31. With only a few minutes left and both teams looking tired Kettering managed to steal a well earned try and conversion ahead of the final whistle.
This was an exciting game with both teams displaying some tremendous skills. Kettering played hard and earned their score, but Harborough had the edge today.
Final score MHRUFC 31 Kettering 26
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