U15s MHRUFC Vs Rushden

MHRUFC U15s Vs Rushden RFC

A first outing for Harborough against Rushden so something of a challenge given that the visitors were an unknown quantity.
Early on Rushden started to dictate play, their substantial pack played a tight and aggressive style putting Harborough on the back foot where they remained for a good ten minutes. Defensively Harborough were being tested and for a good while they kept the visitors at bay, but pressure finally paid off and Rushden landed the first try after persistent driving, the conversion was way wide of the mark however. Harborough tried to get back into the game, but quick ball eluded them, trying to move the ball wide they were actually moving backwards as the Rushden defence got right in their faces. Rushden made the most of their pack size and were soon putting Harborough back in their own half again. The aggression paid off again as they landed another try although again the conversion was off. Harborough not use to being pulverised in this fashion had to dig deep. The pack worked to create space and the backs waited for the openings to appear. Rushden were enjoying the forwards style but suddenly found themselves with holes out to the left, quick ball through the hand allowed winger Harry McCarthy the opportunity to stretch his legs out and outpacing the fullback he landed Harborough's first try easily converted by Will Dawson. Harborough had grasped back a bit of confidence now. Following the restart things evened out a little. The game settled a little and play focused on the centre of the field. Harborough tried to keep the ball away from the Rushden pack in order to disrupt the mauling style. It was not long before Harborough had sucked the opposition to a central ruck and swinging the ball wide again had Seth Vials sprinting away to land a second Harborough try again converted by Dawson.
At half tine the two teams regathered from what had been an exhilarating half with the score standing at Harborough 14 Rushden 10.
The restart saw Rushden once again using their pack to pin Harborough back in their own twenty two. The driving for the line was relentless but somehow the Harborough lads held out. Defensively it would be hard to see a better display. Rushden through the kitchen sink at the line but could not find a way through. Certainly Rushden appeared to dominate and always looked like scoring. Harborough never let their heads or determination drop however. At every opportunity they kicked clear making Rushden do all the fetching and carrying. McCarthy's turn of speed once again gave Harborough a break and he broke free to land another try with Dawson maintaining his 100% conversion rate. It had been a very demanding and physical game and as the half progressed Rushden started to tire a little which gave Harborough the opportunity to punish. Having been so sorely tested in defence they now made a nuisance of themselves on the attack. Not that Rushden were done, there was a neat kick through that ended in a chase between Vials and a Rushden Centre. As they sprinted neck and neck toward the Harborough try line it was hard to imagine how it might end. The ball rolled on and a second nudge from the Rushden player looked to end with an almost certain five points, but, somehow Vials just got ahead and grounded the ball himself as the spectators and team mates heaved a collective sigh of relief. Fullback Jack Rowlatt made some superb try saving tackles and Sam Dexter landed a try which was brought back for a knock on. The game had opened up into a more free flowing style which was more suited the Harborough lads. As the half wore on fitness became key. The lighter weight Harborough pack now had the edge in moving the ball around and Rushden were having to keep up rather than dictate. McCarthy grabbed a third try but Bradley Crane was unlucky and only hit the post with the conversion. The final try of the game came via Ben Marshall who landed the ball right under the sticks giving Crane a simple conversion. Rushden never gave up however and were still driving close to the Harborough try line when Rowlatt kicked for touch ending the game
Harborough 33 Rushden 10
The Rushden squad were short of players and throughout the first half had been loaned some of the Harborough players to even things out, and in the second half as the physicality took it's toll were in need of borrowing a few more. In the end all players had plenty of game time.

Rushden had proved to be a very strong opposition and we would like to congratulate them on a cracking performance and their sportsmanship.