To Scrum, or Not to Scrum

Market Harborough u13s went West for a match against Nunueaton, the second time the teams have met this season. Unfortunately, the hosts were not able to muster an experienced front row from their squad, which meant a late switch to uncontested scrums right from the kick off.

Nuneaton had the tactics for this eventuality, placing their big Number 8 in the back line to give him a chance to run at the defence. Harborough snuffed out the first attack and then switched to fight fire with fire. Harborough possess rugby skills as well as muscle and on a warm, dry morning they romped around the field.

With Cameron Jordan and Henry Povoas slipping in to the back line at times, Harborough put on a display of total rugby. The early breaks came from Kieran Silcott, Joe Summers and Max Dalby before Povoas got the scores going with a line out steal, using his power to bag the first try. Will Hallam converted and Harborough were 7 – 0 up.

Harborough kept running at the opposition and producing quick ball for the myriad support runners, whether forwards or backs. After Povoas got another, Nuneaton put their bulldozer Number 8 to work again, this time from the base of the scrum. Despite some vociferous support from the touchline, the attacks were successfully repelled. Half time score was 12 – 0.

Harborough turned on the gas in the second half. Powerful rucking from the forwards, with Adam Stamp punching the decisive hole and his Number 8 picked up to score. Hallam again converted. Top try of the day went to the next score. Hallam took the ball deep in his own half and burned up the wing, only to be brought down five yards short of the line. Cameron Franklin, impressive on his debut for the Club, was there in support to carry forward, before Hallam picked up again to claim the try. 24 – 0.

Another drive from a line out, this time with a successful conversion, carried the score up to 31-0. Dalby capped his display with a blistering try to take Harborough 36 – 0 up, quickly followed by another score. By now, Harborough were attacking from all positions and every angle. Sam Pindling tore up the turf and put Nuneaton under pressure for the final score, which had Jordan galloping in to make the result 46 – 0.

Scrums or no scrums, Harborough delivered.