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Final awaits as 5 Star Harrow blow Chipstead away.
Iain Taffs4 May 2024 - 16:18
Dominant 41 point haul against Surrey side Chipstead RFC.
Harrows Papa John’s cup run continued on Saturday with a dominant 41 point haul against Surrey side Chipstead RFC.
With a few injuries from the week before victory against Woodbridge, and with some changes in the front row and back row Harrows strength in depth showed through as dominant performances right across the 15 allowed them to control the match pretty much from start to finish.
Chipstead were first on the board with a good line break seeing there centre score under the posts, and with a conversion made an early 7-0 lead to the visitors – but the remainder of the first half was one-way traffic as Harrows forwards controlled the scrums and lkine outs, and in the back line the pace and skill right across the line was in evidence.
First off first phase ball Harrow worked the ball well into the outside channel and Ben Hutton showed his opposite number a clean pair of heels as he rounded the Chipstead defence and glided under the posts to score Harrow first – conversion made by Billy Argent and Harrow back on terms at 7-7.
Almost immediately from the kick off Harrow scored again, with Cieran Barry fielding a ball in the 15 slot, and chipped into the vacant slot behind the Chipstead forwards and the static 15 to collect his own kick, turn and accelerate from just inside his own half all the way up under the posts for another superb try. Conversion made again, and Harrow now 14-7 to the good.
Discipline was costing Chipstead, and every time they made ground into the Harrow half they either turned ball over due to Harrows dominant defence, or gave away penalties which saw them pushed back into their own half.
They then gave up 4 long range penalties in the space of about 10 minutes, 2 of which Billy Argent kicked over – and with one coming back off the post – but Harrow were very quickly building a commanding lead – and with the additional 6 points went into half time with a comfortable 20-7 lead.
First score of the second half would be crucial – and it was Harrow who rocked the visitors and their travelling supporters with another individual try from scrum half Ed Harcombe, who picking up[ from the base of a ruck, and seeing forwards in front of him, dummied and sniped through the gap from just outside the 22 and cantered over for a fine try in the corner – a great kick from Billy A added the extra 2 and Harrow now almost 3 scores ahead at 27-7.
Chipstead were never going to lie down though and their forwards upped the game with a couple of rumbling forwards tries in the right corner, one of which was converted to bring them back to 27-19.
Harrows backs however continued to threaten, and the next move saw a fine drive by Freddie Broomhead put the Chipstead defence on the back foot, and from the resulting ruck Billy Argent found Cieran Barry he was tackled but found a looping Billy Argent on his right shoulder, and his long pass missed the Chipstead defence and found Ben Hutton again in space with a forward to beat, and he duly obliged and touched down in the right corner – another great conversion and Harrows lead stretched to 34-19.
Again Chipstead came back and another 2 short range tries were scored, but both conversions missed – and the score was back to 34-29. Harrow remained composed though, and as a loose ball was gathered by Ed Harcombe – his offload found Vincent Mose – and his pinpoint kicking through was gathered by the clearly onside Cieran Barry – and he again accelerated away to score under the posts – conversion made – and with seconds left on the clock Harrow saw out the remainder of the game comfortably to record a comprehensive 41-29 victory.
Another great day at the club for the ever improving Harrow side, with fantastic support from both sides, and a game that whilst physical also had some great moments of skill and continuity.
Onto the final where they will meet Smiths Rugby who play in the Gloucester Counties leagues for what promises to be a great day out for the players and the club, and reward for some excellent performances in the last 3 rounds of the cup which has seen them score 120+ points on the way to the final.
Details etc of travel arrangements etc will be published in due course.
Team: Jamie Taffs; Des Ogboru ; Jez Itoje ©; Josh Raitamata ; Jamie Logan ; Freddie Broomhead; Baran Kendal ; Leo Paoletti; Ed Harcombe ; Billy Argent ; Ben Hutton ; Dan McAvoy ; Lawrence Armitage-Brain; Vincent Mose; Cieran Barry; Tommy Harrington ; Eoin Boyle; Toby Coleman; Henry Jesson ; Sam Harper
With a few injuries from the week before victory against Woodbridge, and with some changes in the front row and back row Harrows strength in depth showed through as dominant performances right across the 15 allowed them to control the match pretty much from start to finish.
Chipstead were first on the board with a good line break seeing there centre score under the posts, and with a conversion made an early 7-0 lead to the visitors – but the remainder of the first half was one-way traffic as Harrows forwards controlled the scrums and lkine outs, and in the back line the pace and skill right across the line was in evidence.
First off first phase ball Harrow worked the ball well into the outside channel and Ben Hutton showed his opposite number a clean pair of heels as he rounded the Chipstead defence and glided under the posts to score Harrow first – conversion made by Billy Argent and Harrow back on terms at 7-7.
Almost immediately from the kick off Harrow scored again, with Cieran Barry fielding a ball in the 15 slot, and chipped into the vacant slot behind the Chipstead forwards and the static 15 to collect his own kick, turn and accelerate from just inside his own half all the way up under the posts for another superb try. Conversion made again, and Harrow now 14-7 to the good.
Discipline was costing Chipstead, and every time they made ground into the Harrow half they either turned ball over due to Harrows dominant defence, or gave away penalties which saw them pushed back into their own half.
They then gave up 4 long range penalties in the space of about 10 minutes, 2 of which Billy Argent kicked over – and with one coming back off the post – but Harrow were very quickly building a commanding lead – and with the additional 6 points went into half time with a comfortable 20-7 lead.
First score of the second half would be crucial – and it was Harrow who rocked the visitors and their travelling supporters with another individual try from scrum half Ed Harcombe, who picking up[ from the base of a ruck, and seeing forwards in front of him, dummied and sniped through the gap from just outside the 22 and cantered over for a fine try in the corner – a great kick from Billy A added the extra 2 and Harrow now almost 3 scores ahead at 27-7.
Chipstead were never going to lie down though and their forwards upped the game with a couple of rumbling forwards tries in the right corner, one of which was converted to bring them back to 27-19.
Harrows backs however continued to threaten, and the next move saw a fine drive by Freddie Broomhead put the Chipstead defence on the back foot, and from the resulting ruck Billy Argent found Cieran Barry he was tackled but found a looping Billy Argent on his right shoulder, and his long pass missed the Chipstead defence and found Ben Hutton again in space with a forward to beat, and he duly obliged and touched down in the right corner – another great conversion and Harrows lead stretched to 34-19.
Again Chipstead came back and another 2 short range tries were scored, but both conversions missed – and the score was back to 34-29. Harrow remained composed though, and as a loose ball was gathered by Ed Harcombe – his offload found Vincent Mose – and his pinpoint kicking through was gathered by the clearly onside Cieran Barry – and he again accelerated away to score under the posts – conversion made – and with seconds left on the clock Harrow saw out the remainder of the game comfortably to record a comprehensive 41-29 victory.
Another great day at the club for the ever improving Harrow side, with fantastic support from both sides, and a game that whilst physical also had some great moments of skill and continuity.
Onto the final where they will meet Smiths Rugby who play in the Gloucester Counties leagues for what promises to be a great day out for the players and the club, and reward for some excellent performances in the last 3 rounds of the cup which has seen them score 120+ points on the way to the final.
Details etc of travel arrangements etc will be published in due course.
Team: Jamie Taffs; Des Ogboru ; Jez Itoje ©; Josh Raitamata ; Jamie Logan ; Freddie Broomhead; Baran Kendal ; Leo Paoletti; Ed Harcombe ; Billy Argent ; Ben Hutton ; Dan McAvoy ; Lawrence Armitage-Brain; Vincent Mose; Cieran Barry; Tommy Harrington ; Eoin Boyle; Toby Coleman; Henry Jesson ; Sam Harper
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