Harborne win a close game by a sizeable margin!

So, following the most recent win in the League (a surprise upset for Tenbury) and a narrow loss to Greyhounds (in the Vase), we were faced with Barton this weekend.
Barton, much like Harborne, had been hit and miss thus far this season and sat just behind in the standings. We all knew a big game was about to ensue.

With several unavailability’s the team changed round once again, myself back in the front row (woo hoo) with the return of Roger, powerhouses Gibbo and Roberto the 2nd rows, Daws and Will with starts on the flanks. The backs remain unchanged from the previous week.

With the narrow defeat to Greyhounds still in memory Harborne wanted to push back and give it their all. Despite a fierce start a number of penalties kept Barton in the game but a dogged defense, most notably in the scrimmage, saw Barton often go away from the home sides 22 with nothing to show.

It was about 15 mins in when some good lines and support from the backs saw Harbornes resident South African Pom (Craige Heaney) cross the whitewash, bouncing through a number of tackles to reach the line. He converted his own try. Shortly after this however Barton bounced back with a try of their own, they had numbers out wide (especially after I flew up out of place) and their 10 put the 2nd row in, unconverted. With scores quite close the next points went to Barton through a penalty, 8 – 7 to Barton. Shortly after this, just before the break, a Barton scrum was called with it being ‘the final play of the half’. Barton went to play it and found themselves turned over, with some rather quick counter attacking, Mr Heaney found the line a second time. Converted. 14-8 at half time to Harborne.

Some swift words at half time, pretty much keep doing what you’re doing they’re tiring, some water and we were back on.

Harborne stuck to their game plan and were running Barton around as much as they could on the wider pitch. This was beginning to tell with gaps showing in their defence and we started using our ball carriers to suck them back inside with some good carrying by Millsy, Gibbo, Daws (with footwork) and myself. Even Boat had a go – and subsequently got winded by the full back. Both sides swapped penalties at this point but Barton missed and we did not.

The next score came through Tom out on the wing. Some simple hands left a wee space for him to scurry over, this was unconverted. At some point now one of the Barton players, who were all showing great spirit and determination and making us work bloody hard, went off and a re-arrangement in the backs seemed to improve our advantage.

Hodgy was able to sneak through for another try, and the bonus point, which was converted. From the re-start Roberto took a lovely ball, side stepped the winger and charged up field. This was swiftly secured and play continued with both sides going back and for alot and neither willing to give ground. Barton weren’t going down without a fight.

Once again from the final play of the half, and the game, Harborne were able to steal it. After working their way up with some great interplay from backs and forwards, the Harborne back line shifted their focus from left to right and went right to left to unsettle the visiting team, giving enough of a gap and step from Will Arnold to stroll over. Converted.

Bartons own match report can be found on their website. A part of their report sums up the Harborne attitude of the day –

There is no focal point for the club, no clear identity for this new side, yet as a team they show discipline and organization
that you expect from a group of guys who've played together forever.

Well played Harborne, well played.

MOM – Will Arnold
DOTD – Wrighty for his drop goal attempt....