With several players unavailable through illness, it was a depleted squad that travelled to Nuneaton. However, they may have been depleted in numbers but certainly not determination or spirit. The festival was organised in a league structure of 6 teams.
Harborough's first match was against the hosts, Nuneaton. The lads started very brightly, contesting ferociously at the breakdown and distributing well across the backs. They were very dominant in the scrum, which was a positive feature of their game throughout the day. Harborough didn't take long to score, and after that, the outcome of the game seemed to never be in doubt. With several more tries scored both sides of half time, Harborough finished the game clear winners.
The second game was a lot closer affair. The opposition was Loughborough, who were well organised and competed well for the ball. Although our lads had most of the possession, Loughborough defended well and it looked like the game was heading for a draw. However, with the last move of the game, a great try claimed the game and gave the lads the belief it was going to be their day!
There was a break before the third game but the lads stayed focussed doing some drills. The third opposition was Market Bosworth, who are a well organised outfit. The Harborough lads were now on a roll and quickly gained the upper hand. Again, they defended their own try line as if their lives depended upon it and made good use of their opportunities at the other end.
With three very good victories behind them, we were worried the lads might not be able to maintain the intensity going into the fourth match against Oadby Wyygs. We needn't have worried, they in fact seemed to step up another gear and threw everything they had at Oadby. Oadby fought well but Harborough managed to hit the 6 try limit in the second half, bringing the game to an early end.
Going into the last game, mathematically the trophy was already Harborough bound. However, the lads hadn't conceded a try all morning and certainly weren't in the mood to ease off. The final opposition, Broadstreet, provided spirited opposition but were simply outclassed by a Harborough team flying high with confidence.
Having played 5 games and won 5 games, the team were convincing winners, especially when you consider they scored 16 tries during the day and did not conceded a single try.

It was a well organised festival, played in a good spirit. Our lads enjoyed the day and demonstrated that it's not the individuals available to play that matters but how they play together as a team. All the coaches and parents are very proud of all the lads for their courage, teamwork and determination.