Villagers rocked by last minute score
IN the away tie at Earlsdon, Harbury were guilty of being their own worst enemies, gifting their hosts two tries in a disjointed performance. And it proved another disappointing outcome in this return game with the Coventry side snatching a 28-21 victory with the last move of the game.
After last week's strong performance against champions Aston Old Eds, the Villagers were keen to put on a show in their final home league game of the season, with bragging rights still to be had over local rivals Southam. Injuries meant a number of changes with Andy Boag being given his full debut on the wing.
Harbury started on top and Earlsdon were reduced to 14 men for a blatant trip as Toby Whelan threatened to break following a knock on. Looking to use the man advantage, Ciaran O'Connor and Chris Woodhams broke through and made excellent metres before Andy Boag was nearly decapitated with a high shot as the winger looked to score in the corner. The Earlsdon winger was perhaps lucky not to see yellow but from the resulting five-metre line-out Fin Wilde went close before Whelan finished well, crashing over after excellent attacking play from Alex Flinders. Conor McClenaghan added the extras for 7-0.
At this point the wind picked up creating a problem when the Villages looked to clear their own lines but it was from a turnover that Earlsdon - who are a good counter-attacking side - levelled the scores. They spread the ball, broke down the left and although the player appeared to have been bundled into touch, Harbury were guilty of switching off as the flag stayed down and when the move ended with a penalty, the visitors worked their way over for a converted try.
Despite the wind the home side were still in the ascendancy and should have added further tries. Woodhams went close before a set-piece move ended when a pass went awry at the final stage. An outstanding Alex Flinders break was then halted a metre out by a challenge that should have resulted in a penalty try and a yellow card but neither were awarded.
The blustery condition meant Harbury were having to run the ball out from their own ‘22’ and from one of these occasions, the ball bounced up into the grateful arms of the Earlsdon centre who dotted down under the sticks to allow for a simple conversion and a seven-point lead.
Woodhams and Wilde tackles denied the visitors under the sticks but a scrum under the posts saw Earlsdon win the turnover and their no8 dived over for a 21-7 interval lead.
An injured Alex Flinders was replaced by Harry Twinberrow at the start of the second half and he was instrumental as Harbury bagged their second try. Woodhams put Wilde away through the middle and although he beat the full-back and winger, he stumbled just short of the line. Twinberrow gathered and offloaded to Harry Holland for the flanker to bag his second of the season under the sticks. McClenaghan’s extras closing the gap to seven.
Another high tackle saw the visitors back down to 14 and the Villagers took advantage. Tom Boag tapped and went from a penalty, darting through to score with the conversion levelling the scoreline.
Both teams continued to threaten but with Harbury defending a series of scrums, it seemed as though the game would finish all square. That was until the last play of the game when some poor defending allowed the visiting full-back to score under the sticks, the conversion wrapping up a 28-21 win.
The final game of the season sees Harbury travel to Birmingham & Solihull with a top four finish the target. Elsewhere in Counties Two Midlands West (East), Claverdon host Earlsdon and Southam travel to Coalville.
Also on the last weekend of the season, Alcester host Berkswell and Balsall in Counties One Midlands West (South) while Regional Two Midlands West rivals Stratford and Shiptson are on the road at Ledbury and Hereford respectively.
Alcester 2nds were edged out 21-19 at Camp Hill 3rds with the visitors’ three tries coming from Oscar Holland, Pav Sembakuttige and skipper Luke Spencer who also kicked two conversions.
