Bredon Star 33 Harborne 26

So we were away, Semi Final of the North Mids Vase and what we were hoping would be our penultimate game of the season. With the league won, both 1's and 2's, the Vase was all we had left before the end of the season and the void it leaves behind.

With the anticipated climax of the season the coach was full and we were graced with more supporters than the home crowd, even with the 80 minute journey.

With a revised starting line-up with Joe stepping in at 10, Hodgy taking over captaincy from the injured Mills, Sharpie back at his preferred flanker, Boat filling in at tight and a rather small bench (numbers wise - not size with me and Tony sat on it), we kicked off.

The anticipation was high and the pressure was huge, this was apparent in the opening exchanges. Willow taking the ball into contact with fervour and Sharpie winning the opening exchanges in the rucks Harborne started on top, and were so when the first try was scored.

Despite the narrow and short pitch the Harborne backs were taking it up quite well, with Joe - who was commented as being the fastest person Bredon had seen outside of pro rugby - linking well with Ben we soon made our way up the pitch. Early exchanges showed what Emir on the wing could do with ball in hand and one on one, this was put to bed when Ben and Mark (the Wright brothers minus the plane) linked well to put Emir over for the first score. Unconverted.

With the pack holding firm at scrum time, the only thing going awry was the lineouts, Bredon did what they could to break the line. The combined skills of Macca, Ciaran and Lawrence doing well to hold them out. With Sharpie turning over ball it wasn't long until Harborne scored again, Ben Wright crashing over near the posts to give his brother the chance to convert. 0 - 12 to Harborne.

Around this time Boat came off and I entered the fold. We continued to attack and defend, with Will matching Joe for pace and taking us deep into the Bredon half. Where we were penalised for holding on, this is where it started to go wrong. Harborne started giving away needless penalties, soon Bredon had pulled one back to 3-12 and soon after scored. I think it was their rather built rather nippy for his size winger (?) which was converted 10-12.

Again Harborne continued their self destruct, safe in the knowledge now that Bredon have a small narrow pitch as they have a kicker, who again punished Harborne and the score was 13-12 at the half time. I think. Also, the ref seemed to have 'turned' by this point and when Ciaran competed for the ball on the ground it was deemed inappropriate and he was binned.

Some more changes, and surprisingly friendly words from Sigs which basically went along lines of 'stop giving away penalties', and we went back to it.

With renewed vigour, and bays of the crowd, we had at them. A well worked rolling maul, after Clark and leapt like a salmon, Harborne made their way up to the 5m line. Hodgy spotted quick ball and like he has done in the past Ben crashed over to score. Mark converted, 12-19.

In the ensuing battle Bredon pulled back another 9 points through penalties and took the lead to 21-19, and to top it all off they scored - which was unnaturally unconverted. 26-19 to Bredon (who were ecstatic by the way).

With the Ref becoming more and more agitated (please note the views expressed in this match report are of the author and do not reflect the club in anyway shape or form) Harborne found themselves battling their way back into it. With Aidan making in roads, alongside Emir, Harborne time and time again made their way back into the Bredon 22. Only finding themselves having to set for a scrum after a pass was deemed forward or was knocked on. Luckily, as Ben pointed out, the bredon scrum was tiring and we pulled one back against the head.

This was spun quickly out to the backs and with dummys, passing and offloads galore (one of each I think) Joe Wilson crossed for his score. Mark, under pressure one must add, converted and levelled the scores at 26 all - this time Harborne were ecstatic.

Unfortunately, after some needless heckling from the side (Core Values to be read up on by some I think!), Joe was yellow carded. Being down to 14 Harborne dug deep to hold the Bredon tide. Mark Wright with one notable tackle to stop the afore mentioned brick sh*thouse winger from scoring.

However, pressure soon told and as the other Bredon winger broke free - he managed to kick ahead as he was tackled - for the Bredon full back I think to score. Ye gods did they jump for joy.

With a few minutes left on the clock we returned the kick to them and a valiant effort all round saw us win the ball back and mount one last attack. It was in vain however and shortly afterwards the whistle blew and that was that.

We were down trodden, they were elated, and off we headed for some well earned tea and coffee.....;-)

Thank you all, the supporters were much appreciated, the team worked hard for each other and came together as a team - no-one stepped back and we held our heads proud.

Til next season, much love xx