The MHRUFC U9 Menaces team started their first competitive season playing contact rugby in promising style, coming runners-up in the Shield Final at home against useful Stamford teams this Sunday. Despite winning 1 match and losing their other 2, the team is littered with players who are already flourishing on the larger pitches and increased contact, as well as budding performances across the rest boding well for the rest of the season.

Menaces started well recording a 3-2 try victory over Stamford’s Braves, George Williams producing a man-of-the-match performance with a try in each half as well as persistent positive tackling which stopped the Braves getting a foothold in the game. Menaces dominated possession in part due to Braves’ continued off-sides but, in the second half, the Braves brought the scores level to 2-2 with some great passing of their own. Joab Tiney capped-off a similarly impressive display with a last-minute try handing the Menaces their first victory of the season.

Menaces started their second fixture against a physical-looking Stamford Cubs in similar bright fashion. More strong tackles from George Williams, Arthur Adams dancing his way through the defence, and a try-saving tackle by Jonny Sobek ensured MH’s Menaces dominated possession in the first half which ended 0-0 after a foot-in-touch denied a last gasp try. However a change of ends, some substitutions, and the sun in their eyes changed the game in the 2nd half. Menaces dropped the ball from the kick-off and a litany of handling errors saw the Cubs walk in 4 tries though, had it not been again for strong tackling by Joab Tiney, the scoreline could have been worse.

The Shield Final was played against Stamford’s Dinos and, again, a bright start saw George Williams finish a multi-phase attack as MH’s Menaces strung pass after pass together. The Dinos showed why they’d made the final by running in uninterrupted tries before Arthur Adams dazzled down the left wing for his first try of the season, levelling the game at 2 tries each. The Menaces began to tire however and 3 more tries by the Dinos, typically end-to-end runs, closed the door on any opportunity to claw back the scoreline.

Despite ending runners-up a bright display in glorious sunshine ensured the Menaces team and their coaches are looking forward to the rest of the season.

Market Harborough RUFC

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