Harborough U14s Vs Syston U14s

A bitter wind blowing across a waterlogged pitch is not favourite for anyone. With heavy rain on Saturday most of the Harborough pitches were in no condition to use but we only needed one and after a a flurry of phone calls the game was brought forward to allow another year group to use the pitch later.
However before the match players and coaches from both clubs stood together on the halfway line to share a minutes applause in honour of fellow U14s player Taran Gill from Leicester Forest who tragically lost his life in a car accident last week. All players and coaches would like to extend their condolences to both Taran's family and Leicester Forest club. Taran was a good player and will be very much missed.
Syston have always been a strong squad and Harborough were under no illusion that this would be a tough game and particularly so with a County Cup Semi final place at stake.
Syston kicked off to a fired up Harborough team. A fast physical engagement began, both teams turning the screw early and trying to find the upper hand. From an intense drive Harborough's forwards gained possession and pressed home with speed and strength, quickly bringing the back line into the action some excellent through the hands passing saw Centre Tom Wainwright put in a high octane run for the Syston try line putting the home team five points up, ably converted to seven with a kick from Fly Half Will Dawson. Following this early lead Syston really applied pressure, their pack in particular having a lot of the action as they camped within the Harborough 22 for what seemed like eternity. Harbrough however held fast, their defensive technique frustrating Syston again and again. The game continued with frenzied action, Syston gaining the better or the scrums and line out but still unable to capitalise on the set pieces. Harborough equally failed to make the most of some of the open play they are so well known for. With tension building as half time approached it was Syston that, with a tremendous effort near the Harborough line, drove home their weight advantage and gained a much deserved try, the failure to convert left Harborough ahead though. Just ahead of the second half an unfortunate mishandling allowed Syston to put in a great run from within their own 22 to get a second try this time the conversion pulled off and half time arrived with Syston leading 12 – 7
The second half followed a similar pattern of physicality, once again Syston took the upper hand and pushed Harborough back on their line but defensively Harborough stood their ground and Systom could find no way through. A penalty presented Syston an opportunity for a kick, the kick missed but a rush from Harborough meant a reset and a second attempt. Luckily for Harbrough the second attempt also fell wide. With time on the clock running down Harborough threw everything at it and finally brought them back into play, driving Syston back within their own 22. Syston courageously battled to get the ball away but Flanker Charlie Power was having none of it and drove home like a bulldozer to bring the score level at 12 all. As Wainwright awaited permission to take the conversion to possibly put Harbrough ahead, first aiders attended an injured Syston player. With an apparent neck injury play was held up while an ambulance was awaited. After 20 minutes it was clear that there was no option but to call a draw and arrange a rematch. Ordinarily a draw would give the away team a win, but with a game deciding kick still left in the air the opposition felt it would be wrong to end a fantastic competition on the away rule and the match will be replayed. One thing is for sure the rematch will surely be a game of epic proportions.
Our gratitude goes out to both the players and coaches from Syston for their sportsmanship and excellent display of rugby.