Where to begin with this one! A slow burn energy build up with the warm up and team run through needed senior players to step in and rally the team with 10mins to kick off.

The opening minutes of the game itself saw 1871 concede two quick penalties in the Harrow half which resulted in quick tap from Harrow and a line break from their Fly-half with us ending up on our own try line after some impressive scramble defence. If its one thing I have unshakable faith in its the fighting spirit we put out when we are under siege in our dungeon and the desire to escape. Holding firm with physical tackling after multiple waves of Harrow attack we eventually forced the knock on and a chance to test the scrum set piece; well the bar was set with the first scrum and that superior dominance allowed us to clear our lines and force Harrow to concede penalties at our will. From that first scrum the clearance kick upfield was chased hard by our own Harry (Honey Badger) Reed who (worked tirelessly for 80mins on debut) charged down the counter kick around half way; the follow up chase by everyone else was pounced on and a few quick phases later saw us now in the oppo 22 putting them under siege and force the penalty, this was duly converted by Vidz in the 11th minute for a 0-3 lead.

After soaking up the pressure, going upfield and coming away with points seemed to settle 1871 and then the playing process started. The battlefield saw good exchanges of attack and defence from both sides with 1871 finding good width and fluidity to force Harrow back into their 22 time and again. On 19 and 38 minutes sustained sieges resulted in multiple scrum penalties with Will Day (who commanded as only he does in attack and defence) control the ball at his feet secure in the knowledge that the front row and engine room would power the Harrow scrum backward and allow him to score his well deserved two tries.

Second half saw both sides in the first 10mins exchange penalty kicks and 1871 make a couple of subs with Kayci and Alex joining the fray. Again the midfield battle went back and forth until in the 20th minute a forced penalty and a great kick into the corner ultimately set 1871 the opportunity to have an attacking line out, catch and drive with Tim Hitchcock going over for his try and well deserved prize for the front row brotherhood! The rest of the game was a stalemate, with 1871 working hard for the bonus try met by unwavering Harrow resistance.

All day our kick chase was on point keeping Harrow pinned deep in their own half and not allowing easy exits.(Kayci, Louis and Kyle all making life hard for their oppo)

The scrum was imperious (front row brotherhood domination) , the line out solid! The back row worked tirelessly chasing, tackling and working hard at the ruck.

Open play was heavy underfoot so our nimble backs couldn’t get the traction that they so enjoy on the harder pitches, but every back made incisive carries (special mention to Darragh) and the tackling was high class with tackle of the day going to our MotM Captain who led from the front all day (also getting high praise from the ref) absolutely destroying his opposite centre with one of the best timed hits I’ve seen in a long time…..talk about an EMP booster!!!

A mention must go to Harrow as they were (gracious in defeat) tenacious, spirited and played the game hard but fair, they rucked and offloaded well in tackles, overall made the 1871 defence work hard all day but what they didn’t have was the 1871 unwavering trust in one another and our desire to win this league!!