Saturday saw the arrival of Grasshoppers 3XV to Grove Field for the penultimate match of the Merit Table season.
Fresh off the back of a convincing win v neighbours Old Millhillians, Harrow were also buoyed by an availability which again saw an extremely youthful back-line, which in hindsight was the main point of difference between the two teams.
Conditions in the lead up to the game saw a number of changes in the planned starting line up due to travel plans being affected, and a couple of late arrivals (one of whom missed the start of the game due to a fallen tree a full 24 hours earlier causing him to oversleep and miss the start of the game !) meaning the bare 15 took to the pitch for kick-off.

As a mark of respect before the game, both sides held a minutes applause for Evesham RFC's Jack Jeffery, who died tragically the week before playing the game he and we all love - a fitting tribute - and was great to see and hear of so many clubs around the country doing exactly the same.

Having won the toss Harrow chose the shallow end on the pond pitch (aptly named this week), and Grasshoppers kicked off.
Immediately Harrow were on the attack, and with Ciaran Barry pulling the strings at 10 this week, and a centre partnership of Josh Raitamata and Olly Summerfield moving the ball well in difficult conditions it was only a matter of time before the pace in Harrows back line told, and Joel Stern (thankfully showing none of his fathers handling skills or pace) was able to break clear and aquaplane into the corner. This was to set the tone for most of the first half - with Harrow either moving the ball or using the conditions to kick over the top and follow up as clearly had the pace advantage over Hoppers back line. A further try from Joel, plus a couple from Ciaran meant Harrow were closing in on half time with a comfortable 24-0 lead. With the last play before half time Harrow charitably let Grasshoppers into the match when a kick through was completely ignored by Taffs Senior, and despite his teams-mates urging him to react, he calmly waved the Hoppers 10 through to touchdown under the posts, conv made and a 24-7 lead as the sides changed ends - Harrow donned arm-bands and rubber rings as they prepared to defend the deep-end.

An early try in the second half from Ciaran (hat-trick try and jug duly purchased after - good lad) saw the lead extended to 31-7, but then a couple of lapses in concentration allowed Grasshoppers in for a couple of scores and the games was tightened up again at 31-19.
From here on in though Harrows dominance in the forwards began to impact, with a front row of Billy, Des and Lavers making ground continually, and the youthful back-row of James Robertson, Jamie Logan and Ted Skyrme stopping Hoppers in sttack at every opportunity Harrow forced a further three tries, first a superb solo effort from Des, whose strong running and carrying in the last few weeks has really stood out, a superb first seniors try for Jamie Logan getting on the end of an excellent move orchestrated by 15 Will Moran, and a final try scored by Aaron Lewis whose swallow-dive finish left a divot that groundsman Paul Stern will need to refill and seed over the coming months.
All 3 converted - despite dreadful conditions- and Harrow run out worthy winners 52-19.

As always the game was played in exactly the right spirit, and all retired to the bar for the customary post match awards. Harrows MOTM - Pete Skyrme - who at 73 and with a cough like a death rattle still manages to show the exuberance of a teenager on the pitch, and DOTD to Billy Hutchinson - whose prowess at kick-off in dealing with grubber kicks ranged from poor to awful :-) (watch and learn Billy !!)
Huge thank you to referee Callum Varrall (he might be reading this) for officiating, to Rod as always for manning the bar and watching out the window (i don't blame you), and Linda again for post match food - which was fantastic as always.
One final fixture v Chiswick at home in a couple of weeks - last chance to get the boots on - so get in touch if reading this, and the previous six or seven dreadful match reports and think better get involved before its all over.

Team: in order of metres gained according to GPS as follows : Ciaran Barry , Joel Stern , Josh Raitamata, Olly Summerfield , Will Moran , Ted Skyrme, Jamie Logan , Des Ogboru , James Roberston , Jonathan Lavers, Billy Hutchinson, Mark Gibson, James Taffs, Aaron Lewis , Pete Skyrme , Iain Taffs.