Harrow came out on top in a thoroughly entertaining match at Grove Field on Saturday with a four try bonus point win over Saracens Amateurs.
With both sides much changed from the close encounter back in September, cold dry conditions and a pitch in perfect state anticipation was high for an entertaining duel between two well matched teams and neither side disappointed.

Harrow started the brighter, and after 10 minutes a superb line break from Cieran Barry saw him tackled but with enough dexterity to offload in the tackle to Tom Beech, who made great ground and put Tom Hutton away and he glided over for a great try close to the posts, and with Billy Argent in fine kicking form the conversion was made and Harrow 7-0 to the good.

Sarries were coming in on the back of a 50-0 win the week before, and on 20 mins were back in the game with a well worked try and conversion and scores back level at 7-7.
Harrow responded immediately from the kick off, great pressure from Vincent Mose (who had an excellent game in attack and defence) saw Sarries try to run out of defence, and great anticipation from Tom Hutton saw him pick off an intercept just on Sarries 22, he was stopped just short – but again Harrows offloading out the tackle was on point, and he found Dan Mcevoy who stretched over to make it 12-7 to Harrow.
Occasional lapses of concentration however were costing Harrow ground, and one moment of hesitation under a high ball saw Sarries recover, spin the ball wide and with Harrow out of position the winger managed to creep over and conv. made saw Sarries back in front 14-12.

It was clear that this was going to be a tight game, and infringements in and around any kickable distance could prove to be the difference, one such occasion saw Sarries infringe in front of their own posts, and billy Argent slotted the 3 to put Harrow back in the lead by 1. 15-14.
Another try for Sarries saw them recover the lead – although conv missed and at half time with Sarries leading 19-14 the game was really in the balance – the first score in the second half was going to be crucial.

Shortly after the restart Harrow got back in front, off the back of a scrum which was solid and stable all day scrum half Ed Harcombe found Billy Argent, and in a move off the training ground he switched the attack blind, Cieran Barry joined the line and all of a sudden Harrow had a 3 on 2, which was expertly finished by Vincent Mose, his balance, speed and footwork has brought an extra dimension to Harrows attacking options (editor is a big fan). Harrow now 20-19 ahead and whilst an exchange of penalties saw the core move to 23-22 the gap was never more than one potential mistake or infringement or moment of magic.

That moment of magic came with 15 minutes remaining. Harrow under pressure, but inexplicably Sarries kicked a high ball “why are we kicking? was the call from the sideline” why indeed ? Tom Hutton gathered safely, he found Vincent who found Cieran Barry whose long raking kick put Sarries under pressure, and they had to kick dead and concede a 5m scrum. From the scrum harrow attacked short a couple of times, before spotting space on the left wing Ed Harcombe found Vincent and he drew 2 defenders with one pass and found the lurking Leo Paoletti who finished from 5m out – the gap was now 8 points and the first time in the whole game that more than one score had been the difference.
Harrows defence for the remaining 12 minutes was probably the best it had been all year, and despite varied attempts and ideas, Sarries could not find a way through – and even though they took 3 points with the last kick of the game to earn themselves a losing bonus point Harrow had come out on top with a four try win which was certainly well deserved.

What was telling that at the end was no wild celebrations, more a recognition of all the hard work which has gone in on the training pitch over the last 6 months, a togetherness and team spirit which has been growing all year – and from an unbiased spectator’s point of view probably one of the best attacking and defence performances seen at Harrow for a number of seasons.
Fourth in the table, but far more than league position is the knowledge that week on week Harrow are improving, and playing a style of rugby which is both entertaining and rewarding – long may that continue.
Next week sees a trip to local rivals Tabard – who are also having a solid season, details to follow.
Team: Cameron Grant ; Leo Paoletti ; Jeremy Itoje (capt) ; Matt McKeown ; Josh "George" Clooney ; Baran Kendall ; Santos Rodriguez ; Jamie Taffs ; Ed Hardcombe ; Billy Argent ; Tom Hutton ; Dan McAvoy ; Tom Beech , Vincent Mose ; Cieran Barry ; Tom Hutton ; Scott Wreathall ; Des Ogboru.