U15s County Cup Round 1 Vs Leicester Forest RFC

21 Sept 2016
County Cup Round 1
MHRUFC Vs Leicester Forest RFC U15s

Th first round match was rescheduled to allow Harborough the chance to take part in a tournament at Sandbach RFC at the weekend. We would like to extend our gratitude to the Coaches and players of Forest for their kind co-operation.

Forest took the initiative early on with their forwards pressing hard deep in Harborough territory. The Forest forwards are strong and Harborough knew that allowing them room to work would be dangerous. At first it looked likely that Forest would drive for an initial score, but some determined defensive work kept them at bay and Harborough were rewarded with a penalty. Scrum Half Bradley Crane kicked clear for a line out close to the Forest line. A neat throw and catch put Harborough on the offensive and nifty footwork from winger Louis Van Den Berg put them 5 up a slick conversion from Crane gained 2 more. Harborough now ahead set to work on Forest. Confident ball handling and swift passing soon put Forest's forwards out of the picture, Harborough's backs came into their own and outpacing the the opposition the score started rise with a try from Fullback Jack Rowlatt and two more from Centre Tom Wainwright with a further two conversions by Crane. With Forest struggling to hold ground Flanker Sam Dexter sped for the line neatly offloading to Captain Will Adams who stole a try again converted by Crane.

Half time Harborough 33 Forest 0

Forest kicked off the second half and the ball fell neatly for Harborough, with the backs passing confidently through the hands Centre Ben Marshall drove through for an early try and conversion by Crane. Forest came back with vigour however, outmanoeuvred by Harborough's backs they tried to keep the ball tight and use their muscle, a good job they were doing of it too as they advanced into the visitors twenty two, but the defenders kept their nerve and Rowlatt again sprinted through to score although the angle proved awkward for Crane to convert this time. Forest kept their heads up and from the restart again bulldozed toward the Harborough try line. Pressure started to take it's toll and Harborough found themselves giving away a number of penalties in quick succession, back they fell as Forest drove on and on until it seemed almost certain that the home team would finally get across the try line, but, overturning a ruck the ball was kicked clear, Flanker Dan Hands chased hard and put in a monster tackle, Geordan Bedford collected the loose ball and ran on neatly offloading to Wainwright who scored again, Fly Half Will Dawson narrowly missing the conversion. With a clear 50 point lead the referee was forced to call the game. With less than ten minutes on the clock the teams chose to play on to the end. As Forest started to feel the pressure they conceded a further try to Wainwright who outpaced them from within Harborough's own 22 and a try and conversion from Dawson ended the game with an unofficial 62-0 scoreline.

The final result made it look like an easy game for Harborough, but the truth is that Forest played well and with true courage, never once did allow their heads to drop not even as the final whistle blew. The enthusiasm to continue even when the game was called has to be applauded and admired.

Thunk you Leicester Forest for a great night, good company and your help in arranging this midweek fixture,

Official Final score
MHRUFC 50 Leicester Forest 0