On a beautiful sunny afternoon at Grove Field, the home side produced some exhilarating rugby to outscore a skillful and competitive Hackney side for the third time this season, by six tries to 2 although the final score line 39-12, was not a true reflection of the closeness of the contest.

In the ten previous finals of the Middx Federation Vase no Club had ever won the competition more than once. All that was set to change on Saturday when Hackney, last years champions faced the champions of 2011, (Harrow being unable to defend their crown last year because of commitments in the National Junior Vase)

A decent crowd witnessed a fast open game of rugby in which no quarter was asked or given. It was perhaps unfortunate for Hackney that Harrow were able to find the form and fluidity that had been missing from their play since Christmas. Perhaps it was the sun on their backs or the knowledge that their opponents wanted to play a fast open match that spurred Harrow on but whatever it was Harrow were a revelation, moving the ball across their backs with pace and skill and with the two wingers scoring four of our six tries. By half time despite the sin bin of Proctor for offences at the break down Harrow were 27-5 up with tries by Keany (2), Huggett and skipper Dave West with two conversions and a penalty by Conroy who had a lively and effective match.

The second half continued in the same spirit and although Harrow again outscored their visitors by two tries by Keany and Adam West and a conversion by Conroy to a converted try by Hackney, to run out winners by 39-12 that didn't tell the whole story. The Hackney second row dropped the ball as he was in the process of going over to score and their centre dropped a scoring pass on the Harrow line. Whilst I don't believe that if they had taken their two scoring opportunities Hackney would have gone onto win the game, 6 tries to four was a far fairer reflection of the match.

A fine match, well officiated, saw the home team secure a league and Cup double for the second time in three years and was a fitting climax to another outstanding season of success for Harrow. Many, many congratulations and thanks to coaches Chris West and Mike Smith and also to Dave West and his players. They have worked hard and have got their just desserts.

William Keany who finished his first season of senior rugby with a well deserved hat trick that has put the cap on a really fine first season for him was the player of the final.

Congratulations also to Tim O'Connor and the Lions who finished their season also on a high with a fine 59-0 victory against Old Albanians 5ths in the plate final of the Herts/Middx 5 merit table competition at Enfield Ignatians. A season that promised so much for Lions ended in triumph.

Well done to both senior sides

Andrew Smart