MHRUFC under 10’s headed to Welford Road on Saturday for the super 16’s round of the Prima Cup in the knowledge that victory would see them into the last 4 teams from the 70 that started the competition.

The opening game pitched Harborough against local rivals Oadby Wyggs who had pushed them hard in the county cup earlier in the year. Nerves were evident from both sides as they took to the pitch. Oadby gained the opening initiative by winning the toss and started in possession. The Harborough team lined up to defend their line with a look of dogged determination.
The opening salvos from both sides limited play to the narrow channels probing one another’s defence looking for any weakness. Each team stood firm with play contained in the Wyggs half for most of the first period. Scoring opportunities were limited to a few darting runs by Harborough and from Wyggs lead by their talented play maker ‘Vinnie’.
The second half saw the game open up as players got tired. This suited Harborough who were able to up the pace by introducing fresh legs. The ball was now moving wider and their ambition was rewarded half way through the second half with a try in the corner by Finn Carnduff. The lead was doubled shortly before the whistle by a strong run by Josh Manz. The game finishing 10-0.
The quarter final match saw Harborough take on their biggest rivals - Hinckley.
With two sides that like to play the running game off some big hitting forwards, this had the makings of spectacle worthy of the Welford road turf. The first half was played at lightening pace with both sides going toe to toe in every department. Hinckley looked to be playing the better rugby but this was matched by resilience from Harborough not seen before. The first half concluded 0-0 with neither side giving an inch and both sets of supporters physically drained.
More of the same was to follow for the second half, but as with all great games there comes a turning point and this happened towards the end of the half. Harborough found themselves under a period of sustained pressure following some slick rugby by Hinckley. Despite some robust defence, their line was breached. In a mass of bodies Hinckley had gone over for a try. It appeared to be all over, but as the ref peeled back the bodies he found hero of the hour Rowan Moore at the bottom holding the ball up. NO TRY!!. Harborough had less than a minute to dust themselves down and seek the score both teams were so desperately trying for.

With almost the last play of the game Harborough put the ball through hands looking to spread the Hinckley defence, only to be foiled by the last pass hitting the ref. The scrum was awarded and Harborough had one last chance to seal the deal. Again the boys went wide, replacement Dan Pope stepped in from the touch line keeping the ball alive for Ethan Shewring to hit the line at pace carrying within a yard of the line before releasing Finn Carnduff with a delicate pop pass to score in the corner. Finally the whistle!!!. MHRUFC. 5 v Hinckley 0
In a game so evenly matched and won on such fine margins it is a shame to have a losing side. Every credit has to go to Hinckley as their sportsmanship from players to coaches and supporters is second to none.
Well done to all.
Ben Marlow, Finn Carnduff, Callum Leat, Oliver Rodgers, Max Pollard, Rowan Moore, Matthew Reeves, Josh Manz, Alex Laurenti, Ethan Shewring, Charlie Dean, Joe Sterling, Dan Pope & Henry Philips.