First contact for the Under 9's

The Under 9 Menaces played their first fixture of contact rugby against local rivals Melton and Syston. First up for the Menaces were Melton. It took no time for Harborough to score their first try in contact and the honours went to Max Fletcher. A turnover deep in Harborough territory saw the restart passed to Fletcher who with a customary mazey run ran three quarters of the pitch evading tackles for the first try. Harborough didn't have it all their own way though and Melton no only equalised but took the lead soon after. Ollie Barbosa scored for Harborough and then Evie Stacey-Smith restored Harborough's advantage. Some great defence by Harborough saw them make 5 tackles but they couldn't make the crucial sixth and Melton broke through to score, adding another to again take the lead. Ned Bellamy scored from close range, then Ed Bradnam scored from a run starting at half way. Both were to go on to add several tries to their personal tallies during the morning. Bellamy added his second and although Melton replied, Harborough secured a narrow 6:5 victory.

Melton's second team were the next opponents. Fletcher was again first to score, followed by Bellamy and Barbosa then Fletcher again, but each time the opponents scored too so it was 4:4 at half time. In the second half however, a try for Bradnam and a brace for Bellamy saw Harborough win 7:4.

Another close game followed against Syston 1, with two tries for Bradnam seeing Harborough 2:! up at half time. He completed his hat-trick in the second half, intercepting a pass in his own half to run through unopposed to score. Two for Bellamy were sufficient despite spirited play from Melton to win 5:4.

The final game against Syston 2 saw a tiring Menaces side lose their only game of the morning. Three times behind, but two tries for Fletcher and one for Kai Harley saw them level, before Bellamy scored to take the lead. That would be the last time they were in front though, Syston scoring 4 tries to lead 7:4 before Fletcher completed his hat-trick with a late consolation in a 5:7 defeat.

There was some encouraging attacking play from the Under 9's and periods of good defence too. All enjoyed the morning played in warm sunny conditions