On a wet and cold wintery day Market Harborough overcame some first half 'knock on blues' to finally defeat a combative Peterborough side. An attritional performance from Jack Burrows and his band of forwards set the scene for a fine team performance in difficult conditions.

The game started with Harborough playing into a slight cross wind, but that didn't stop the visitors from pinning Peterborough deep in their own half. The scrum shunted and shoved the home pack back on numerous occasions and were it not for the numerous errant 'knock ons', or fading passes, Harborough could have been out of sight after 25 minutes. Staff, Burrows and Bishop were all thwarted with the try line beckoning. In fairness the constant drizzle made the ball as slippery as a wriggling eel from the adjacent River Nene.

Finally George Hallam, stripped a Peterborough ball carrier 10 metres from the line and careered over. Monty Maule pushed over a good conversion. 0 -7. The rest of the first half was punctuated with barnstorming Burrows runs into the heart of the Peterborough defence. Ford, Blades and Waterfield gave excellent support and the backs probed the defensive line with the ball the forwards produced. Peterborough's defence was solid and stood firm and the visitors couldn't deliver the knock out blow.

At times Peterborough were close to breaking out, but some last gasp tackling kept the Harborough try line a distant mirage. With a half time score of 0 -7, there was always a chance Harborough might rue those missed opportunities.

The second half began with a spell of Peterborough pressure and it was the time for Harborough defence to hold firm Jark Brown and Harry Durham brought their opponents down. Josh Purnell covered well as the tail gunner and brought marauding invaders to ground with some ferocity.

With 50 minutes on the clock the impressive Jack Burrows stormed over in the right corner to give Harborough a 0 - 12 lead. The game began to break up with the start of multiple yellow cards. Hallam was sin binned for a seemingly well timed jackal over the ball but it didn't stop Harborough's momentum. The Black Cats's lineout and back's drills began to reap rewards. Sam Staff made some trademark carries and breaks, falling metres short on a couple of occasions. Henry Moss tried to replicate Fin Smith's match winning pass to Elliot Daly from last week, but it would be fair to say it was close, but no cigar!!!

Minutes later Jack Digby did crash headlong into the Peterborough heartland like a cannon in the rain and frankly nothing was stopping the inertia he had built up. Maule converted and Harborough led 0 - 19. Harborough's Monty Maule received a rare yellow for a deemed dangerous tackle and then a couple of Peterborough players followed as the referee decided he'd had enough match commentary from them.

Harborough through a series of forward drives with Pat Grady to the fore, gave Purnell a platform to accelerate through a weakening defensive wall, Tom Claffey converted from just right of the posts and Harborough now led 0 - 26.

IN the last quarter of the game Harley Williams and Jack Wilson came on to shore up the visitors and slotted neatly into the team, providing pace and guile. Harry Durham danced his way to the line and flicked the ball to Will Marriott who dabbed down to finish the scoring.

In the closing minutes Peterborough carried the attack to Harborough, but fine defensive work stopped several try scoring opportunities to keep the Harborough try line in tact.

Harborough head coach Joe Hill commented "At half time we asked the players for mores accuracy and we were delighted with the response they delivered in the second half".

Next week Harborough entertain Syston in the County Cup at Northampton Road. We look forward to seeing you for this compelling fixture.