It was another cold one but the travelling barmy army worked out fast which side-line to stand on to get shelter from the elements – had the Hertford team worked out how to beat Harrow? They alleged they were up for it but maintained their habit of starting at a more leisurely pace. After a potential high tackle wasn’t given, Harrow moved the ball out to a fast winger; who then took the ball down the line for a try. There was a feeling of deja vu given the prior match, but Patrick decided to rewrite the script from the following kick off, catching the ball cleanly and then probably literally running around the whole of Harrow team, inside and out, to take the ball for a Hertford equalling try. Beating some players twice was probably just showing off.
The match evened out up with forward play and rucks in the middle of the pitch. Max came close but Harrow were effective in the ensuing ruck and kicked long. More of the rucks later…
Good supporting play from Hertford was certainly a theme of this game. Harvey had a good run through the centre with an offload to Louis in support, who took the ball well into Harrow territory resulting into a penalty for us.
The forwards tried their first set move of the day which worked in gaining some more territory. There was an ongoing ‘looser’ interpretation of killing the ball in the ruck by the ref, enjoyed by Harrow, and the ball was again turned over by Harrow. After a fast break by Harrow, some good defence by Hertford demonstrated that lessons had been learnt from prior weeks when defending fast breaking attackers.
There was more action in the centre of the pitch with Brendan carrying well before another fast break from Harrow meant Hertford needed to make try-saving tackles. Unfortunately Hertford gave away a penalty and Harrow converted from five yards out.
Deja vu followed from the kick off. A great catch by Finlay who ran strongly, offloaded the ball to Freddie supporting well, who then drew a man before shipping the ball to Harvey to run from just inside the half to score.
Hertford got the ball inside Harrow territory and aggressive forward play and recycling moved the ball down the pitch, resulting in William getting the ball from five yards out and he wasn’t going to be stopped from there. It was a pleasure seeing Hertford moving around the pitch as units rather than single players.
Harrow made another break, with more great try-saving tackles and bravery from Stanley, Archie and Finlay, but after a ruck, the ball was recycled and Harrow scored.
After the restart a good run from Tommy took the ball into the last 10 from the half way line resulting in a penalty for Hertford. The infamous ‘Wall’ set play was initiated with the crowd looking on in anticipation- Mexican waves stopped and vuvuzelas were silenced. The wall worked but the tackle looked high on Hertford; however we got the ball out of the ruck, kicked to the corner, but Oscar’s speed couldn’t quite get there to touch down despite oohs from the crowd.
Half time came and we were now uphill and into the elements. The action at the ruck continued to cause a few talking points in the West Stands but the boys were learning to play to the ref’s rulings.
With Hertford backs having the ball at our 22 yard line, the backs did a ‘leaguey’ successfully. It was symptomatic of the way the boys were playing; they were really playing as a team.
We made it past the half way line with Finlay running well but then Harrow ended up with the ball even though there were calls of offsite. But this position gave Harrow a head start and they made it down to the five yard line before good defence shepherded them into touch.
The ‘wall’ returned and Herford made it out to the half way line. Brendon took the ball well from the ensuing ruck and made further territory. A later ruck and Harrow returned with the ball. Fast pace down the wing but Jake was there to make one of several literally try saving tackles, hitting the opponent low, hanging for dear life and then coming down the ankles. That lucky red hat shouldn’t be washed.
Unsurprisingly there was further controversy on the side-lines when a Harrow run from a penalty near the line ended with double move being brought back for a penalty by Hertford. At the second attempt Harrow made it over to score.
Still a lot of play in the centre of the pitch before a great breaking run from Jayden, thundering through the Harrow defences, and Max able to follow up and convert. This match was tense.
Another fast break by Harrow but again good recovery from Herford and the baddies were stopped with Josh literally jumping on the defender to smother the attack. However we were then out-played in the ruck allowing Harrow to obtain the ball, and take it over to score.
We kick off and a fast break is again stopped by the red-hatted Jake when we all think we’ll be down by another try. We use the ball well and Max returns to half way. Then good work by the solid forward pack take the ball up to the five yard line; but we crack and give away a penalty. However we get the ball back, and get close, winning another penalty. The next attempt results in a maul but the ball doesn’t come out and the scrum is theirs.
And then the match is over.
The Hertford scrum with the front line of William, Jake and Freddie had been solid all match, never budging once. The ruck was our weakness but the team need to learn from this and adopt to how the match is being refereed early on. There was an impressive amount of interplay, between the forwards, and also with the ball going down the line from Archie to Josh to Oscar. The defence was also generally very good with covering of the pitch and positions.
This was the best the team has played and to lose by one try was a disappointing conclusion.
This match correspondent is useless with names at the best of times but in the hectic to and fro of this game some excellent personal efforts will have been missed or mis-assigned. He’s not even checked if the score from the above narrative adds up to the 30-25 marginal loss but those are mere details…..
Report written by Alistair Tennant