Last Sunday (4th) saw Harrow Colts get their league campaign underway with a well deserved win away at Bishops Stortford RFC.
This seasons Colts are a combined squad of last seasons victorious U16 division winners, as well as last seasons still eligible Under 18’s from the league winning Colts squad – so expectations are rightly high for the new season – and the squad did not disappoint.

After getting the long journey out of their legs, the team settled in against what was a very organised Stortford unit, who boast 2 teams at both U17 and U18 – so plenty of resource to pull from (the joy of a large catchment area).
Playing with a little breeze and a gentle slope Harrow opened the scoring with last seasons Colts try machine Lucca Ellis getting the first score, after some concerted forward drives, and some good handling through the back-line Lucca sprinted over to touchdown in the corner – conversion missed – but a 5-0 lead to Harrow.
However straight from the kick-off a spilled catch gave Bishop Stortford ball, and from the resulting phase of play, Stortford no 10 drew a couple of players to put the full back in for a try under the posts. Converted and suddenly Harrow were 5-7 down. A reminder to keep focused at all times me thinks !

The rest of the half was played out, with very few scoring opportunities. Harrow had the most of the play, but showed some rustiness, and lack of composure in the final areas, but something which will surely improve as the team play together more, and understand each others style of play. One potential score in the corner for Tom Green was called back for a tight forward pass, but otherwise a period of attrition ensued.

In the second half Harrow began to have a bit more dominance at the scrum, and whilst the line-out was not functioning particularly well, they still had enough ball to be able to start to create chances as Stortford tired, and took chances to extend their lead. One loos play resulted in Harrow backs recovering a spilled pass, and after a couple of passages of open play the ball was accelerated onto by Lucca Ellis again, and he raced away under the posts to score his and Harrows second. Try duly converted by Will Moran – and Harrow now lead 12-7.

Stortford now enjoyed the majority of the possession and territory as the piled the pressure on the Harrow line, but Harrow ‘D’ was not to be breached and some excellent counter rucking and driving saw Stortford either driven back or into touch 2 or 3 times in a 10 minute spell of pressure. This seemed to deflate the Stortford lads, and Harrow began to get back on the front foot. One break from the back of a ruck saw Olly Summerfield step his opposite number and leave him in a twisted crumpled heap, and the break through the gap saw Olly Stern out sprint and muscle the Stortford defence to score again just to the left of the posts. Conversion again from Will Moran – and now Harrow had a bit of breathing space at 19-7.

The remaining 8 minutes were played out with no great opportunities on either side, and the final whistle saw Harrow Colts record the first league win of the new season, against one of the sides who are expected to be competing for the top spot come the end of season count up.

A rewarding day out for players, coaches and parents alike, and special mention to a couple of Under 17’s who really impressed during the match in scrum half Ben Sugarman, and Flanker/Prop Bruce Parris – who both had excellent games.

London Scottish in the LV Cup next – but based on this performance the season could be a rewarding one – “the future’s bright, the future’s blue and white”.

Note: journalistic licence may have been applied in certain areas.
Photos: Mike Morris

Harrow RFC

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