The MHRUFC Under 7 section, like the elder age groups played in a triangular tournament against Kettering and Oundle for the annual Boot competition. This was the first time that a select team had been picked from this age group to play in a fixture, rather then the Menaces, Mischiefs, Rascals and Rogues squads.
A late fitness test saw the reliable George Hooper passed fit to play despite a throat infection and he was the team captain, alongside George Hallam, Henry Bellamy, George Cook, Will Salvesen, Giaan Mann, Patrick Bairstow, Sam Whitford, Billy Stamp-Ellam and Stanley Cockerill.
Harborough faced a stern test against Kettering in the first fixture, starting the game strongly and were first to score after a strong run from George Hallam set up Sam Whitford. Kettering replied almost immediately and were close to taking the lead but for determined tagging especially from Salvesen. Whitford then scored his second try, benefiting from supporting a George Hooper run. Henry Bellamy then out-sprinted the Kettering defence to set up Salvesen for a try and a well deserved 3-1 half time lead. The second half started with a fight back from Kettering who scored two quick tries to draw level. From the next restart Giaan Mann broke through the Kettering defence to score a superb individual try down the right flank. The lead was stretched through two further tries from the captain, Hooper but each time Kettering replied to keep in touch leaving the crowd with an anxious final minute with Kettering threatening to draw level. However Hooper then broke through the defence again to score his third try and seal the victory.
Match 1 – Market Harborough (7) vs Kettering (5)
The second game was between the visitors, Kettering recording a 7:2 victory over Oundle.
Match 2 – Kettering (7) vs Oundle (2)
Harborough’s final game was against Oundle where they only needed a draw to win their group. It soon became clear they weren’t about to settle for that. The Harborough team put in a superb performance, scoring 8 unanswered tries. It was a great team effort with seven different scorers. First half tries were scored by Whitford, Billy Stamp-Ellam, Bellamy, Hooper and Salvesen. The highlight of the second half however was a superb try from George Cook. The try was created by Stamp–Ellam who pounced on an Oundle error and broke out of defence into the opposition’s half. On being tagged he made a tremendous pass on the move to Cook who was supporting on the nearside and ran through to score an exceptional try. Further tries were scored by Cockerill and Bellamy with some great support play by Patrick Bairstow. The fact that Oundle could not cross the Harborough line was a testament to a well disciplined defence. The Harborough squad did not drop a ball all game in what was a faultless performance.
Match 3 – Market Harborough (8) vs Oundle (0)
Captain George Hooper later had the honour of lifting the trophy for the club after the overall results meant Market Harborough retained The Boot.
The MHRUFC Under 7 section, like the elder age groups played in a triangular tournament against Kettering and Oundle for the annual Boot competition. This was the first time that a select team had been picked from this age group to play in a fixture, rather then the Menaces, Mischiefs, Rascals and Rogues squads.
A late fitness test saw the reliable George Hooper passed fit to play despite a throat infection and he was the team captain, alongside George Hallam, Henry Bellamy, George Cook, Will Salvesen, Giaan Mann, Patrick Bairstow, Sam Whitford, Billy Stamp-Ellam and Stanley Cockerill.
Harborough faced a stern test against Kettering in the first fixture, starting the game strongly and were first to score after a strong run from George Hallam set up Sam Whitford. Kettering replied almost immediately and were close to taking the lead but for determined tagging especially from Salvesen. Whitford then scored his second try, benefiting from supporting a George Hooper run. Henry Bellamy then out-sprinted the Kettering defence to set up Salvesen for a try and a well deserved 3-1 half time lead. The second half started with a fight back from Kettering who scored two quick tries to draw level. From the next restart Giaan Mann broke through the Kettering defence to score a superb individual try down the right flank. The lead was stretched through two further tries from the captain, Hooper but each time Kettering replied to keep in touch leaving the crowd with an anxious final minute with Kettering threatening to draw level. However Hooper then broke through the defence again to score his third try and seal the victory.
Match 1 – Market Harborough (7) vs Kettering (5)
The second game was between the visitors, Kettering recording a 7:2 victory over Oundle.
Match 2 – Kettering (7) vs Oundle (2)
Harborough’s final game was against Oundle where they only needed a draw to win their group. It soon became clear they weren’t about to settle for that. The Harborough team put in a superb performance, scoring 8 unanswered tries. It was a great team effort with seven different scorers. First half tries were scored by Whitford, Billy Stamp-Ellam, Bellamy, Hooper and Salvesen. The highlight of the second half however was a superb try from George Cook. The try was created by Stamp–Ellam who pounced on an Oundle error and broke out of defence into the opposition’s half. On being tagged he made a tremendous pass on the move to Cook who was supporting on the nearside and ran through to score an exceptional try. Further tries were scored by Cockerill and Bellamy with some great support play by Patrick Bairstow. The fact that Oundle could not cross the Harborough line was a testament to a well disciplined defence. The Harborough squad did not drop a ball all game in what was a faultless performance.
Match 3 – Market Harborough (8) vs Oundle (0)
Captain George Hooper later had the honour of lifting the trophy for the club after the overall results meant Market Harborough retained The Boot.
HARBOROUGH U8s “STICK THE BOOT IN!”
Harborough U8s took on teams from Kettering and Oundle in the annual “Boot” Tournament. Harborough, as the holders, had home advantage although on the form displayed today they could have played anywhere and emerged victorious!
A team consisting of Bradley Crane, Josh Ford, Max Halls, Archie Hanlon, Will House, Finn McCabe, Alex Nicholson, Douglas Ralston and Thomas Wainwright demonstrated that they had well and truly blown away the New Year cobwebs.
First up Harborough faced a well organised Kettering. Kettering started on the attack but from the outset Harborough were tenacious in defence, a feature of their game they were to maintain to the bitter end. This great early tagging resulted to a turnover right on the Harborough line leading to a searing end to end run from Will House to score the opening try. Kettering came straight back with a score of their own, quickly cancelled out with a fine solo effort by Bradley Crane. Kettering then put a good sequence of passes together to squeeze over in the corner just on half time. This was to be their final score! The second half was all Harborough. Great defensive tagging from Archie Hanlon who grabbed 3 out of 7 in a sequence led to a turnover which saw Josh Ford make a searing run before passing to Crane for a well worked try. Kettering came back on the attack but this time brilliant tagging from Douglas Ralston and Alex Nicholson led to yet another “7 tag” turnover. From this Thomas Wainwright combined with Finn McCabe to create space for Max Halls to touch down. The game was rounded off with yet more great team defence leading to a Kettering mistake and quick interplay between House and Ford led to a third try for Crane. Final score 5 – 2 to Harborough.
While Harborough then took a well earned breather Kettering and Oundle traded blows in an evenly fought contest resulting a 4 all draw. This result meant just a draw would be enough for Harborough to emerge victorious….nothing could have been further from the boys minds!
Harborough lined up against Oundle and from the off showed their intent. Straight running by House and Wainwright got them up to the line before a superb pass half way across the pitch from Crane led to an easy touch down for Ralston. Harborough had to be on their guard because Oundle proved worthy adversaries coming straight back with some fine interplay resulting in a well earned try. However, this was as near as they got. McCabe proved yet again what an elusive runner he is with a first class side step [chip off the old block?] to leave Oundle flat footed and tear over for Harborough’s second. More excellent defence from the tall lads House and Hanlon led to a turnover but this time Harborough were unable to capitalize and Oundle came straight back and reduced the deficit. In the final play of the half McCabe made yet another mazy run leading to a fine score for Wainwright resulting in a 4 – 3 half time lead for Harborough. The second half started with Crane quick off the mark bursting straight through the defensive line and showing a clean pair of heels to score. Harborough then fell back on their finest asset, collective defence, resulting in a yet another “7 tag” turnover which then produced a scintillating run from McCabe going over for his second try of the game. Further ferocious defence couldn’t quite prevent Oundle from pulling one back but the match was rounded off in style with some fine interplay between everyone on the team before Halls touched down in the corner. Final score 7 – 4 to Harborough.
With the main focus of todays play being "The Boot" it would be easy to forget that the rest of the Harborough Under 8's were also playing some friendly games against Kettering at the same time.
The first game against Kettering B team was undertaken by Harborough Green team consisting of Lucy Brett-Pitt, William Dawson, Sam Dexter, Joseph Harrison, Matthew Fisher and Jack Rowlatt and a borrowed player Scott from Kettering to make up the numbers. It was clear from the start that neither team was going to be a push over. Harborough made great use of support play and worked hard to break through the Kettering defence, but were held back again and again by solid tagging. A little lack of focus in Harborough's own tagging allowed Kettering the opening they needed to rush through and score the game's first try. An undeterred Harborough side took the game straight back to them and leveled the score with a try from Dawson. Harborough demonstrated and maintained excellent support play in attack, but despite further tries apiece form Dexter and Dawson it was Kettering who dominated and held the lead at half time, 4-3.
The game remained tough and tight in the second half, but with much improved tagging from Harborough. Now holding Kettering at bay Harborough managed to bring the score line level with tries from Rowlatt and a superb first try of the season for Lucy Brett-Pitt, the only girl on the pitch. It was however the weaker defensive play from Harborough in the first half that was to be the determining factor, and the final score stood at a 6-5 win for Kettering. It was an exciting and hard fought game by two very even teams.
The second game was between Harborough Red squad (Fabian Bodie, Theo Barr, Theo Pemberton, Max Shortland, William Henderson, William Burke, Daniel Hands, Elliot Coxon and Sam Dexter) and Kettering B.
Fabian got them off to a flying start with a determined individual try, but Kettering are good opponents and they came straight back from the re-start with Harborough needing to work very hard with some great tagging to keep in the game. The first half ended with Harborough down 1 – 2.
The second half saw a triple substitution which seemed to improve the teams attacking game, with strong individual tries coming from Elliot Coxon and Max Shortland. There followed a period of play with the sides swapping tries with missed tags on both sides. William Henderson showed his Dad’s genes were coming to the fore with some “physical” play leading to the final try and a hard fought win for Harborough 6 – 5.