 HRFC 2007/08 Colts Match Reports |
Bromsgrove Colts 27 -- Harbury Colts 0 22nd October 2007
National KO Cup 2nd Round
Harbury stretched their squad to the limit in the National Colts cup and came unstuck against strong opposition in Bromsgrove.The villagers proved they had the appetite for a long hard battle,but with only 1 replacement they struggled to keep up the pace despite holding and indeed matching Bromsgrove before injuries caught up with a squad depleted by players attending university and a long injury list.The game started well for Harbury and an even first 20minutes saw the home side apply pressure which was withheld by the villagers but when right wing Charlie Gladden was forced to leave the field and be replaced by a forward the writing was on the wall. Left winger Sam Reeves pulled a hamstring and Fullback Jamie Newport suffered an ankle injury and Bromsgrove took full advantage and ran in 4 unanswered tries.Harbury continued to battle away with their usual gusto Kevin Comerford and Graham Ferris took the game by the scruff of the neck but when Shane Dunne (concussion) and Chris Gillett (ankle) were forced off the referee rightly called a halt to the game 10 minutes early.No regrets from Harbury they knew this competition was going to be very high quality and the club and coaching staff are rightly proud of their players who never fail to give everything for their club.
Harbury Colts 29 -- Rugby St Andrews Colts 0 15th October 2007
Earlsdon Colts 8 -- Harbury Colts 10 1st October 2007
Harbury travelled to Earlsdon with a full team and two reserves, despite the absence of several players through injury and international "duty", with Tom Bush captaining the side for the last time for a while before heading off to Uni. Harbury started brightly. Sustained pressure on the Earlsdon 22 brought a penalty which John-Jo Cronin struck perfectly.
The second half began with some fine penetrative runs by the Earlsdon backs but Harbury's defence held good . Pete Connon (the reporters man of the match) put in the biggest hit of the afternoon - his tackling and rucking play were an important factor as Harbury stepped up a gear.The Harbury front row of Chris Phillips, Dan Frazier and Rob Sabine was as solid as a rock all game and as the second half progressed, the Harbury pack started to dominate.
Harbury Colts 5 -- Kingswinford Colts 50 25th September 2007
Woodrush Colts 26 -- Harbury Colts 27 17th September 2007
National KO Cup 1st Round
Harbury travelled to Birmingham and produced a stunning performance clinching victory in the dying moments of a pulsating match against a highly talented Woodrush side.Woodrush quickly found space from the kick off to set their back line moving and scored the first try of the match in the opening minutes.Harbury once again proving their own worst enemies by starting slow and before they knew it Woodrush scored another try after an interception.Harbury got their game together and their powerful forwards drove at the Woodrush line and for 15 minutes denied the home team any ball to set their back line away.
Woodrush increased their lead with a penalty and a few minutes later Harbury were penalised at the ruck and the home side slotted home another penalty to go 16 points up with half-time beckoning, but the villagers never contemplated losing this match and with the odds stacked against them drove at Woodrush and after a 10 metre drive from a lineout fullback Tom Bush received the ball from scrumhalf Dan Bennett and broke the line to score out wide. Jon Jo Cronin showed his quality by kicking the conversion from the touchline as the referee blew for half-time with the scores at 16-7.Harbury came out fighting for the second half and had the homeside on the backfoot but Woodrush had enough talent to resist this onslaught and kicked another penalty to increase their lead.Cronin slotted a penalty to keep Harbury in the game but Woodrush once again came back and scored a converted try after they were given a dubious penalty for descent.
Cronin again kick Harbury back in the game with a well taken penalty but were still 13 points in arrears but this team have great belief in themselves and produced a stunning comeback as Shane Dunne feed powerhouse prop Chris Phillips from the back of a lineout and he crashed over the line to score a try which was converted by Cronin.Harbury`s forwards continued to drive into Woodrush with Backrower Shane Dunne and lock Pete Connon thwarting any chance of good quick ball for Woodrush to use and in the dying minutes of the game all the villagers hard work paid off as Jamie Newport breached the home defence to score a try in the corner.Cronin had to kick the conversion from out wide to send Harbury into the lead and was ice cool as the kick sailed high in between the posts.Woodrush came back at Harbury from the restart and earned themselves a penalty under the posts as Harbury seemed once again to be harshly penalised at the ruck.
So a great game of rugby had a fitting final`e as the Woodrush kicker just had to kick what looked liked a straight forward penalty to win the game, he missed shaving the post on the wrong side but the game wasn't over as the referee ruled the penalty to be retaken as he said Harbury players had moved before the kick was taken.The tension became unbearable as the home side were given this reprieve and the pressure proved too much for the kicker as once again he missed.Harbury were left to celebrate an incredible comeback.The Colts are at home to Dudley on Saturday
Harbury Colts 17 -- Shipston Colts 5 12th September 2007
Leamington Colts 0 -- Harbury Colts 34 28th August 2007
