MHRUFC U15s Vs Lutterworth RFC

County Cup Quarter Final

This is one of the few games each season where a select rather than mixed ability team is picked to represent the club. Always a tough time choosing a squad of twenty two as it means that some players have to skip a week. Decisions that were made yet more difficult with some players unavailable due to injury, notably regulars Tom Wainwright (Broken wrist) and Matthew Robertson (broken toe as a result of kicking the wrong shaped ball)
It had been some time since the team had played Lutterworth meaning that we were facing something of an unknown quantity.
Harborough, started well and settled into a comfortable pace moving the ball around looking for weaknesses. Lutterworth had a strong pack and were not shy to press hard when in possession. The swift Harborough ball movement paid off early with an opening try for Jack Rowlatt picking up a neat pass left from Bradley Crane who promptly converted to put Harborough seven points up. Harborough, buoyed by their fine start, continued to with the game making by applying pressure on the Lutterworth backs by swinging the ball left then right at speed. A scrum out right in Lutterworth's half provided a splendid opportunity to attack, Ben Marshall snapped up the ball ran right with Seth Vials in support, a neat offload left open space for Vials to sprint through for another try again converted by Crane. Lutterworth muscled up and their pack took the lead in a counter attack, driving hard they plundered deep into Harborough ground, defensively Harborough stood firm, working hard to block every move but a gap appeared and Lutterworth took the chance, not fast enough though, and the player was driven in to touch ahead of grounding the ball. A close call for Harborough and a warning shot that Lutterworth were far from done. Lutterworth drove in again, but Harborough had it covered better this time kicking clear and almost scoring on a fast counter attack. Lutterworth won the follow up scrum but the ball was intercepted as they tried to move it wide, a grubber kick through was nearly grounded. Harborough were taking control again. Lutterworth scrambled to defend as the ball moved quickly through the Harborough backs hands, Rowlatt ran a good line through but was caught, the pack followed in and won the ruck, finishing the job was Thomas Melody who bulldozed through for a try once again converted by Crane. Following the restart Lutterworth piled on pressure after a fumbled pass left Harborough exposed. A kick through looked like a certain five points but a last ditch tackle saved the blushes and a counter kick and chase almost worked but Will Dawson couldn't quite ground the ball. A scrum set close to the Lutterworth line was won and quick distribution through the backs allowed Rowlatt to steal another try cleanly converted by Crane.

Half time Harborough 28 Lutterworth 0

The second half kicked off with Harborough aiming to drive home their lead, Lutterworth crumbled as they tried to hold ground and winger Harry McCarthy sprinted down the right wing dodging desperate grabs to score another with Crane converting again. The Lutterworth pack again tried to steady things and fight back, but try as they might Harborough held and a clearance kick nearly provided another score on a quick counter. The game settled for a while with neither team getting the upper hand, but Harborough always looked the most dangerous with ball in hand. McCarthy broke again but the pass from Sam Dexter was called as forward. Harborough held their lead while discipline started to break as the Lutterworth players became frustrated. Harborough finished the game with a break away try by Dexter and the conversion gave Crane full marks to end the game.

Full time
Harborough 40 Lutterworth 0