Saturday saw the ever improving Harrow Lions travel to Hayes for a mid-table obscurity clash.

A minutes silence was perfectly observed by both sides prior to the start of play for Lochan Pennant-Shah, a 14 year old Harrow player who tragically died earlier in the week - and was fitting that both sides came together to mark the moment as one rugby family.

The usual weekly roll-call for availability meant a 2021-2022 season debut for Michael (Mikey) Walsh at 10, and with Fijian flyer Josh Raitamata also in the starting line up, and James Tooke returning from what seemed like a month long sojourn in South Africa accompanied by compulsory daily beach and cocktails photos there was a level of optimism amongst the travelling players and supporters (both of them).
This quickly diminished when last minute illness and work meant that we were down to 14, and lost Tookey to an ankle injury very early on.
Hayes to their credit approached the fixture in exactly the right spirit, by matching numbers early on, and lending Harrow a prop to enable scrums to remain contested throughout - and the whole match was played in a very positive spirit with both sides competing hard at the breakdown and no quarter given in the contact.

As befitted a side that played together most weeks Hayes had the better of the first half, scoring 4 tries and converting 2, but the pick of the first half tries was a flowing Harrow move through the hands of Dylan Carberry, Harry James (the other one) and finished by designated post match pint drinker Florin Chiesa - conversion missed but Harrow on the board and turned 24-5 down.
Second half was a far more even affair, as Harrow started to gel and move the bigger Hayes pack and players around the pitch.
First score of the second half went to Santos Dominguez, who was put away in the corner following some quick hands from Ciaran at 9 through Mikey, Pete Skyrme and Josh who expertly drew the final man and gave Santos a clear run into the corner. Tough conversion missed, but Harrow tails now up and firing.

Harrows next try was the result of some excellent forward play between the back 3 of Harry, Dylan and Pablo and a number of strong incursions by Des Ogboru - who had an outstanding game in the loose, making significant yardage every time he took the ball, and creating an excellent platform which was further driven on by Billy Hutchinson (who also had a strong game in the loose and scrum), and despite being held up a yard short was able to present cleanly for Iain Taffs to pick and drive the final 30 cms over the line. Crowd held its breath while the referee ambled around from the wrong side and finally awarded the try. 2-0 to the old fella in the Taffs household try scoring championship for 2021-22, and a lead which is looking unassailable. Conversion made, and despite Hayes running in a couple of tries to extend their lead there was still time for a final Harrow try (and a bonus point to boot) from Josh Raitamata, to be honest i cant remember it, but lets call it a clean break from 30-35 yards out, an amazing off load from Freddie Broomhead and a finish in the corner whilst evading a number of tacklers.
End of game, and whilst a 36-22 reverse plenty of positives again in the four tries, availability (despite a challenging week) was ok, and the usual MOTM and DOTD awards went to Des for his outstanding performance and Florin took the DOTD as was keen for an extra Guinness - which he then proceeded to drink slower than it took to pour - good things come to those that wait - but not that bloody long !!
Ealing Exiles away next week for the Lions in a double header. Get in touch if you are reading this and think you want to be a part of it.
Team (in order of metres ran on the day according to GPS as follows) : Des Ogboru, Josh Raitamata , Mikey Walsh, Ciaran O Sullivan , Santos Dominguez , Freddie Broomhead , Dylan Carberry, Harry James , Pablo Torres , Florin Chiesa , Pete Skyrme , Billy Hutchinson, Iain Taffs , James Tooke.

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