Another win for Harbury on their VP Day

Harbury 36 Kings Norton 7

HARBURY went into their Vice-Presents’ Day fixture against Kings Norton on a real high, possessing the only 100 per cent record in the league and having just been recognised by the RFU as October’s Team of the Month nationally at their level.

A bumper crowd, including the victorious Colts XV who beat Brackley 19-6 in the day’s opener, gave the sides a vociferous welcome and Harbury wasted no time in chalking up the first points in this Counties Three Midlands West (South) match.

From a scrum, Rory Pond found Ciaran O’Connor on his full debut and the full-back dummied and went on his own to score under the sticks within the first five minutes, Ricky Alford adding the extras.

Alford scored his side’s second try after fielding a clearance kick and breaking upfield for a 12-0 lead, but fly-half Pond was injured in the process and now faces a few weeks on the sidelines.

Luke Winchester then bagged his fourth try in two games to cap an impressive opening quarter before torrential rain hampered both sides and restricted any further opportunities.

Trailing 17-0 at the start of the second half, the visitors quickly reduced the deficit when O’Connor’s kick was charged down allowing Kings Norton to score under the sticks.

Further opportunities were limited for the Birmingham side although they continued to defend well and put pressure on Harbury's ruck ball, earning a number of turnovers.

Harbury’s bonus point try came from replacement Chris Woodhams with his first of the season, Alford with the conversion, and towards the end of the game the hosts were able to add two more tries to put a shine on their performance and brighten the mood on an incredibly wet day.

The first Alford gathered from the base of a scrum before darting over and from the resulting kick-off, Chris Milburn broke through before feeding Joe Aston, Alford again with the extras.

Harbury will be hoping to extend their perfect start to the season when they head to Old Yardleians on Saturday.

Elsewhere, there was disappointment for Stratford in Regional Two Midlands West after their match at Malvern was postponed. League rivals Shipston lost 14-6 to second-places Silhillians. Both sides are at home this weekend with basement club Berkswell and Balsall heading to Pearcecroft and the Rams hosting Malvern.

In Counties Two Midlands West (East), Claverdon were edged out 20-19 at Walsall 2nds while Southam won an equally tight game at Woodrush 15-13. Claverdon are at home to Woodrush on Saturday with Southam entertaining league leaders Veseyans.

In the Warwickshire Merit League, Shipston 2nds lost 46-7 to Silhillians 2nds.