Harrodian’s Under 18s First XV triumphed over the conditions and their local rivals in this week’s big rugby match
After 36 hours of drizzle, Harrodian Under 18s’ big derby against fierce local rivals Ibstock was never going to be a feast of fast-flowing rugby. But despite conditions that made their favoured running game difficult, the First Team toughed out a gutsy and thrilling 10-8 victory on Wednesday 2nd March.
Ibstock were fast out of the blocks from the first whistle and spent much of the first half camped in the home 22 as Harrodian continued to concede a string of penalties. It seemed only a matter of time before the visitors scored the opening try but on a rare foray into their opponents’ half, Harrodian’s back line made their skill and speed tell, with Rocco scoring an excellent breakaway try.
It seemed only a matter of time before the visitors scored but on a rare foray into their opponents’ half, Harrodian’s back line made their skill and speed tell with an excellent breakaway try
Stung by this setback, Ibstock came back hard from the kick off and constant pressure from their impressively drilled pack led to a penalty in front of the posts which was converted leaving the home team 5-3 up at half-time.
The second half followed a similar pattern with Ibstock largely camped in the home 22. The home pack’s courage and determination to defend their try line against a constant wave of attacks was heroic and, once again, Harrodian’s pacy back line helped them turned the tables, with Tommy darting through for another try to make the score 10-3 to the home team.
As both sets of supporters held their breath, the kick slid wide. Harrodian’s First XV had edged home in a backs-to-the-wall epic.
Ibstock spent the final minutes laying siege to Harrodian’s line and with the last move of the game they got the try their persistence deserved. Now they just needed two points for the draw but with underfoot conditions horribly muddy, could they make the conversion? As both sets of supporters held their breath, the kick slid wide. Harrodian's First XV had edged home in a backs-to-the-wall epic.