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2 point margin as Harrow runners up in PJ cup.
Iain Taffs12 May - 09:24
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Narrow 29-31 defeat in an excellent performance.
Saturday saw the final of the Counties PJ Cup take place at Shaftesbury Park, the home of Dings Crusaders and Harrow in a first final since the Twickenham visit of 2012.
With the forecast set for a warm day, an artificial surface and a squad packed with the usual mix of pace, power, youth and no end of skill there was a buzz of anticipation as players, coaching staff, supporters and people who just enjoy a day out gathered at the club for the coach ride down to Bristol.
Opposition Smiths Rugby from Cheltenham play in the Counties 2 Gloucestershire leagues, and given the rugby hotbed in the South West and watching them warm up they also looked a side who had plenty of quality to go with the size.
With a support swelled by additional club members from across the country there was a healthy vocal support for the lads, and by the time the 13:00 kick off came round the stands had filled to near bursting point as both sides made their way onto the pitch for what turned out to be the most competitive and entertaining match of the afternoon. (in my opinion).
Harrow were on the board almost immediately as a Lawrence Armitage-Brain tackle in midfield saw fellow centre Dan Mcevoy get over the ball and with Smiths not releasing they conceded a penalty just on the 22 in front of the posts. Up stepped Billy Argent and he calmly stroked the ball through the posts to get the scoreboard ticking and Harrow 3-0 to the good.
With only 6 minutes on the clock Harrow were 10-0 up, when from the back of the scrum in their own 22 Ed Harcombe whizzed the ball out to Billy, and a neat loop move with Dan Mcevoy then found Ben Hutton in space on the right wing, and he danced down the touchline before shipping back inside to Billy, and his quick hands found Cieran Barry just off his left shoulder and his pace allowed him to race away under the pots, and with the conversion made Harrow now 10-0 in front.
Smiths though were strong in the carry, and after a number of forays in to the Harrow 22, eventually the pressure told, and an offside in front of the posts gave them the chance to narrow the gap, and points taken and score at 10-3 Harrow.
Smiths scored again not long after, when an almost interception fell kindly for the Smiths centre, and he managed to wriggle over under the posts, and with the simplest of conversions the score was back to 10-10, and with 35 minutes of the half gone Smiths scored again when they were able to move the ball well along the back line and get outside the covering Harrow defence, and over just to the right of the posts – and with the conversion made they finished the half out and with a 17-10 lead.
Harrow continued to move the ball at every opportunity, and the first score of the second half saw get back level as a Smiths penalty kick missed touch, and from the resulting breakdown Freddie Broomhead made an outstanding break right through the heart of the Smiths defence, travelling at breakneck speed , with his haor billowing behind him he went from his own 22 almost into Smiths, and the resulting phase saw Vincent Mose cut in off his wing, find Cieran barry and his smart offload found Billy Argent off his shoulder to cross the whitewash and touch down for another wonderfully worked try. Conversion made and teams now locked at 17 points apiece.
Smiths were then reduced to 14 men when a late high hit from one of the Smiths forwards on Ed Harcombe, saw Ed have to leave the pitch with concussion and play no further part in the match, and with the referee rightly showing a red to the Smiths player after consultation with his touch judge. Pleased to report that despite a headache Ed is feeling better, and all the club wish him a full and speedy recovery.
Harrow were next to score, when a superb turnover in midfield by Henry Jesson, saw Harrow break down the right side, and Cieran then cut across the Smiths back line and flight a superb raking pinpoint pass into the hands of Vincent Mose, and he glided in unopposed under the posts, and again conversion made and Harrow now 24-17 ahead.
Back came Smiths, and after Harrow were adjudged to have infringed at a lineout close to their line the referee gave a penalty try, and with no conversion needed the score were now level at 24 each – and both sides down to 14 as the yellow card which went with the offence meant both sides were now equally numbered on the pitch.
Harrow then compounded the error as from the kick off they strayed in front of the kicker to give Smiths an easy out scrum in the middle of the pitch, they worked the ball to the right, and a couple of mistimed tackles allowed the Smiths winger in and round close enough to the posts to make the conversion sligjhtly easier, and with it made put them back in front 31-24 with only a handful of minutes left on the clock.
Harrow though refused to lie down, and when a speculative Smiths kick into the back field was gathered by Tom Linden it didn’t look as though there was much on, but he accelerated through the cover defence, and found Cieran Barry who then returned the favour, and Tom then found an accelerating Ben Hutton flying down the left wing, and his dive evaded the Smiths winger, and acrobatically touched down in the right corner, difficult conversion missed but harrow now back within two at 29-31.
With only moments left on the clock Smiths got a penalty which they opted to kick for goal, but the kick went wide, and Harrow new that with little time left they had to pull something spectacular from the bag, and almost did, when a Smiths knock on gave harrow a scrum on their own line, and they moved the ball wide and found Ben Hutton in space on the right wing, with the cover across he kicked through and only the bounce of the ball right into touch instead of left into the hands of the chasing Harrow attackers was the difference between a score and a lineout. Final play of the game, and by the narrowest of margins Harrow had come so close to what would have been a fitting and deserved trophy for an overall successful cup run and season in general.
An excellent game, played at pace in very hot conditions, and a fantastic performance from 1-22 and the contributions from all the coaching and non-playing staff who supported on the day – a great day out for the club.
The future of the club looks promising when you look at the average age across the 22, and also the fact that almost all have come through the Junior sections within the club – a great advert for rugby, and the spirit, commitment and team ethos that has always been and will continue to remain within Harrow RFC – well done all !!!
Team : Cam Grant ; Des Ogboru ; Jez Itoje ; Jamie Logan ; Henry Jesson ; Freddie Broomhead ; Leo Paoletti ; Baran Kendall ; Ed Harcombe ; Billy Argent ; Vincent Mose ; Dan Mcevoy ; Lawrence Armitage-Brain ; Ben Hutton ; Cieran Barry ; Eoin Boyle ; Tom Beech ; Tom Linden ; Tom Hutton ; Jamie Taffs ; Scott Wreathall ; Santos Rodriguez.
With the forecast set for a warm day, an artificial surface and a squad packed with the usual mix of pace, power, youth and no end of skill there was a buzz of anticipation as players, coaching staff, supporters and people who just enjoy a day out gathered at the club for the coach ride down to Bristol.
Opposition Smiths Rugby from Cheltenham play in the Counties 2 Gloucestershire leagues, and given the rugby hotbed in the South West and watching them warm up they also looked a side who had plenty of quality to go with the size.
With a support swelled by additional club members from across the country there was a healthy vocal support for the lads, and by the time the 13:00 kick off came round the stands had filled to near bursting point as both sides made their way onto the pitch for what turned out to be the most competitive and entertaining match of the afternoon. (in my opinion).
Harrow were on the board almost immediately as a Lawrence Armitage-Brain tackle in midfield saw fellow centre Dan Mcevoy get over the ball and with Smiths not releasing they conceded a penalty just on the 22 in front of the posts. Up stepped Billy Argent and he calmly stroked the ball through the posts to get the scoreboard ticking and Harrow 3-0 to the good.
With only 6 minutes on the clock Harrow were 10-0 up, when from the back of the scrum in their own 22 Ed Harcombe whizzed the ball out to Billy, and a neat loop move with Dan Mcevoy then found Ben Hutton in space on the right wing, and he danced down the touchline before shipping back inside to Billy, and his quick hands found Cieran Barry just off his left shoulder and his pace allowed him to race away under the pots, and with the conversion made Harrow now 10-0 in front.
Smiths though were strong in the carry, and after a number of forays in to the Harrow 22, eventually the pressure told, and an offside in front of the posts gave them the chance to narrow the gap, and points taken and score at 10-3 Harrow.
Smiths scored again not long after, when an almost interception fell kindly for the Smiths centre, and he managed to wriggle over under the posts, and with the simplest of conversions the score was back to 10-10, and with 35 minutes of the half gone Smiths scored again when they were able to move the ball well along the back line and get outside the covering Harrow defence, and over just to the right of the posts – and with the conversion made they finished the half out and with a 17-10 lead.
Harrow continued to move the ball at every opportunity, and the first score of the second half saw get back level as a Smiths penalty kick missed touch, and from the resulting breakdown Freddie Broomhead made an outstanding break right through the heart of the Smiths defence, travelling at breakneck speed , with his haor billowing behind him he went from his own 22 almost into Smiths, and the resulting phase saw Vincent Mose cut in off his wing, find Cieran barry and his smart offload found Billy Argent off his shoulder to cross the whitewash and touch down for another wonderfully worked try. Conversion made and teams now locked at 17 points apiece.
Smiths were then reduced to 14 men when a late high hit from one of the Smiths forwards on Ed Harcombe, saw Ed have to leave the pitch with concussion and play no further part in the match, and with the referee rightly showing a red to the Smiths player after consultation with his touch judge. Pleased to report that despite a headache Ed is feeling better, and all the club wish him a full and speedy recovery.
Harrow were next to score, when a superb turnover in midfield by Henry Jesson, saw Harrow break down the right side, and Cieran then cut across the Smiths back line and flight a superb raking pinpoint pass into the hands of Vincent Mose, and he glided in unopposed under the posts, and again conversion made and Harrow now 24-17 ahead.
Back came Smiths, and after Harrow were adjudged to have infringed at a lineout close to their line the referee gave a penalty try, and with no conversion needed the score were now level at 24 each – and both sides down to 14 as the yellow card which went with the offence meant both sides were now equally numbered on the pitch.
Harrow then compounded the error as from the kick off they strayed in front of the kicker to give Smiths an easy out scrum in the middle of the pitch, they worked the ball to the right, and a couple of mistimed tackles allowed the Smiths winger in and round close enough to the posts to make the conversion sligjhtly easier, and with it made put them back in front 31-24 with only a handful of minutes left on the clock.
Harrow though refused to lie down, and when a speculative Smiths kick into the back field was gathered by Tom Linden it didn’t look as though there was much on, but he accelerated through the cover defence, and found Cieran Barry who then returned the favour, and Tom then found an accelerating Ben Hutton flying down the left wing, and his dive evaded the Smiths winger, and acrobatically touched down in the right corner, difficult conversion missed but harrow now back within two at 29-31.
With only moments left on the clock Smiths got a penalty which they opted to kick for goal, but the kick went wide, and Harrow new that with little time left they had to pull something spectacular from the bag, and almost did, when a Smiths knock on gave harrow a scrum on their own line, and they moved the ball wide and found Ben Hutton in space on the right wing, with the cover across he kicked through and only the bounce of the ball right into touch instead of left into the hands of the chasing Harrow attackers was the difference between a score and a lineout. Final play of the game, and by the narrowest of margins Harrow had come so close to what would have been a fitting and deserved trophy for an overall successful cup run and season in general.
An excellent game, played at pace in very hot conditions, and a fantastic performance from 1-22 and the contributions from all the coaching and non-playing staff who supported on the day – a great day out for the club.
The future of the club looks promising when you look at the average age across the 22, and also the fact that almost all have come through the Junior sections within the club – a great advert for rugby, and the spirit, commitment and team ethos that has always been and will continue to remain within Harrow RFC – well done all !!!
Team : Cam Grant ; Des Ogboru ; Jez Itoje ; Jamie Logan ; Henry Jesson ; Freddie Broomhead ; Leo Paoletti ; Baran Kendall ; Ed Harcombe ; Billy Argent ; Vincent Mose ; Dan Mcevoy ; Lawrence Armitage-Brain ; Ben Hutton ; Cieran Barry ; Eoin Boyle ; Tom Beech ; Tom Linden ; Tom Hutton ; Jamie Taffs ; Scott Wreathall ; Santos Rodriguez.
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