MHRUFC U14s Vs Stamford U14s

These two teams last met during a festival at Stamford some years ago. Stamford turned out to be a rather formidable squad at that time and proved to strong for Harborough winning very convincingly. Since then Harborough have become a much stronger challenge and as such a tough game is just what the doctor ordered with the quarter finals of the County Cup on the horizon.

Despite some illness Harborough presented a rather large squad and so there was plenty of opportunity for everyone to get some game time, and also to really throw everything at it in the certain knowledge that tired legs could quickly be replaced by eager subs.

Stamford threw themselves in from the start. Their Scrum Half and Fly Half presenting some very slick ball handling backed up by a solid set of forwards that quickly pressed Harborough close to their tryline. Harborough had been working on some defensive skills however and this training was sorely tested for a good ten minutes. Try as they might though Stamford were held at bay as often as they could recycle the ball until eventually Fly Half Will Dawson was able to kick over and reverse the pressure. Having held Stamford off and now driving them back it was Harbrough's turn to demonstrate some slick handling. The Forwards rucked with conviction securing ball through phase after phase until an opportunity to get the backs involved came. As the ball moved swiftly out through the hands at pace Sam Dexter with deft hand off was able to crash across the Stamford line and plant the ball neatly to put Harborough 5 points up. Scrum Half Bradley Crane easily converted and with 7 points on the board Harborough started to get into the game properly. Putting last weeks defeat behind them and really working together Harborugh had Stamford on the back foot. Some further drives by Dexter with Joe Harrison in support truly tested the Stamford back line. Enthusiastic pressure from Harborough's mobile pack had Stamford under pressure and Number Eight Ben Marshall was able to hit home for another try, this time the conversion rebounded from the left hand post but Harborough had set out their stall.Stamford rallied but were unable to capitalise on their breaks, centre Olly Hoare seemed to be everywhere at once putting in a tremendous work rate to snuff out the Stamford backs. With one almighty surge a Stamford player broke through effortlessly brushing Alex McGregor aside, but he hadn't reckoned on Oscar Spiers at all, who manhandled him to the ground, not exactly in textbook fashion, but certainly in heroic fashion. Ahead of half time Marshall broke through again and a cracking conversion put Harborough 19-0 ahead.

Stamford looked a little weary as the second half kicked in, whilst Harborough were able to put on some fresh legs. Early on Stamford threw themselves at the Harborugh line, very much as they had at the start of the game, but this time the pressure payed off. Although Harborough defended well Stamford earned a well deserved try but missed out on the conversion. Centre Geordan Bedford who had bravely tried to put in a try saving tackle was unfortunately bundled to the floor rather heavily and in the process suffered a shoulder dislocation. With a good number of players on the bench a replacement was found, but throughout the second half Bedford remained grounded awaiting Paramedics. Despite this the game continued and Harborough now started to press home their energy advantage. Marshall scored his hatrick, again converted by Crane. Then the Harborough backs displayed some wonderful through hand play working the ball around the defenders until Flanker Dan Hands was able to sprint home Harborough's fifth try again converted by Crane. Finally Dexter scored again after a through kick from Hoare, that can only be described as comedy gold, this time the conversion made by Dawson. Harborough had put behind them last weeks defeat with both the backs and pack really working together to get a decisive score of 38-5.

Stamford were extremely gracious both applauding the win and shaking more hand than you could shake a stick at. I would also like to express my gratitude to the Stamford volunteers who were instrumental in aiding us getting medical treatment for Bedford.

An exceptional game with a scoreline that would leave you to think that Stamford were outclassed, but in all fairness they were a strong team with some very slick moves. I suspect the next meeting will be a cracker.
Thank you Stamford for being such excellent hosts and for such superb sportsmanship.

Tim Hands