Harborne go two from two

Seeing as the DoD match correspondent Chits has eloped to Cardiff to set up life as a soap dodger, it falls to me to write a somewhat delayed report. So Harborne braved a rather congested M6 to travel up to telford on a bright sunny day. Telford’s flat and large pitch was in great nick to allow all aspects of rugby in front of a partisan but friendly crowd. Preparations were in true Harborne style, and with a full team only just ten minutes before kick off, we were just about sorted.

The first quarter saw our backs looking to run hard, and the forwards run even harder. Unusually for a Harborne pack we were in ascendancy and larger than our opposition too, what a difference a year makes! Gibbo and TD were carrying hard ball with great effect, and it was one such charge from Gibbo with most of the pack on his back that led to the space out wide for the backs to run in the first try of the day. Harborne proceeded to make good decisions to move ball down field and pin Telford back, then using our speed size and fitness to mount the pressure. This again told as their defence was stretched by fast movement, faster rucking and a charge over the line for big emir.

By this stage, the combination of forward carries, tactical kicking and backs lines was breaking down the opposition defence line which was well organised in early phases. Telford responded by dropping their main strike player to fullback, and credit must be given to him for mounting the telford fightback. Shortly before half time a rare penalty was awarded giving Harborne a further 3 points and 15-0 lead into half time.

The second half was a very different and somewhat unsatisfying spectacle for both teams. Harborne’s persistence in kicking to the full back and giving him free run through contact was naïve to say the least. Both teams lacked the will to slow the game down and build a platform. Telford deciding to try and attack the fringes through the forwards, but on a big park this is slow hard distance. Harborne on the other hand were trying to run everything too wide too early and being squeezed out. Eventually after persistent pressure the home team crossed for their first try and it was well deserved. To our credit we returned quickly downfield using the interplay and speed that we have developed through preseason to run in a quick answering score.

Telford’s pack kept it tight from here and many will say too tight. There were missed opportunities out wide for them to try our lines but all too often they kept it tight, to the frustrations of their wings and sidelines. Defensively we were guilty of missing too many tackles, that was obvious to all. However to the credit of the team, our penalty count was minimal and telford were made to work hard for every inch of territory. Telford crashed over for the final score of the game, but as the kick went wide, the bonus point they had worked for went with it.

This wasn’t perfect, in fact far from it. Mistakes were made and frustratingly everyone knows what those mistakes were. Nevertheless, positives must be acknowledged. Determined defence with barely any penalties conceded is a major improvement. A win is a win (obviously) but to win away from home against a team of Telford’s standard is no small task and all must be commended. The team’s frustration at missing the bonus point is understandable, but as the Telford report suggests, we may have been guilty of looking for a big score too soon, we need to get used to building our victories and phases of play and launching from there. The tables speak for themselves though and played two, won two is a great start, sitting third in the league with plenty of promise and plenty to improve is a great place to be.

MoM goes to Will Arnold for his defensive display and tackling in the second half.
DoD went to Chits for deciding to move to Cardiff mid-season

This weekend sees us play St Leonards at home in the first round of the National Juior Vase. St Leonards although relegated last season have always been somewhat of a Bogey team for Harborne, so this should be a good match to try and learn to build our game.