Sat 16 Feb 2019, 14:15
Uttoxeter took the spoils in an entertaining home victory against a very capable Harborne side.
Uttoxeter opened the scoring when the visitors were penalised for going off their feet in the tuck following a number of Uttoxeter phases. Captain Jake Batista Cabrera opted for goal and Thomas Sherratt was successful with the kick at goal to make the score 3 – 0.
Both sides built attacks but it was the hosts who once again built the pressure with forwards Jim Holmes and Tim Carr carrying the ball over the game line. With Uttoxeter on the attack Harborne were penalised for not releasing the tackled player and once agin Cabrera took the easy points as the reliable boot of Sherratt sent the ball sailing between the uprights for a 6 -0 lead.
Uttoxeter brightest opportunity came when centre Henry Knox broke through the midfield to storm into Harborne’s half. Knox was denied a try by an excellent covering tackle from Harborne’s Full Back
Late in the first half promising flanker Taine Grout took a knock and was forced off the field to be replaced by the experienced Matt Nance.
Uttoxeter pushed into Harborne’s 22 in the closing stages of the half but they were unable to break through and the visitors try line remained uncrossed at the break with the half time score 6 – 0.
Uttoxeter’s Head Coach Nigel Hall rang the changes at half time with Prop Ant Davies making way for Harley Finlayson and Callum Shaw entering the fray.
The changes seemed to have the desired effect as Uttoxeter came racing out at the break. Uttoxeter played a considerable number of phases with Nance crashing through the midfield before scrum half Tom Gallimore sent the ball out wide, Knox linked and released Sam Bassett up the wing to take play into the 22. With the Harborne defence drawn in tight Uttoxeter were queuing up out wide but prop Adam Smith had other ideas as he crashed over the line from short range to score the first try of the afternoon.
Uttoxeter continued to push and looked to be in control as they once more made their way towards the visitors try line but on this occasion they were unable to break through and Harborne countered from deep. Caught cold it was Uttoxeter who began to feel the pressure and Harborne were able to score their first points of the afternoon with a well taken penalty as Uttoxeter were guilty of straying offside making the score 11 – 3.
Harborne began to play with more rhythm and their winger soon broke through from deep he jinked into Uttoxeter’s half before offloading to the onrushing support. Harborne looked certain to score but with the try line insight Joe Gorman put in a huge hit and the ball was split forwards as Harborne attempted to touch down.
Harborne did cross the line next following an impressive period of play. Utoxeter defended well but the relentlessness of Harborne’s attack created an overlap out wide where their winger was able to touch down to make the score 11 – 10.
Uttoxeter began to look shaky and mistakes began to creep in. A Deep kick from Harborne put Uttoxeter under pressure and as they attempted to pass out of trouble the miss judged pass went to ground behind Uttoxeter’s try line but fortunately Fly Half Sherratt was able to scramble back and clear up. Harborne were awarded for their persistency when they played a number of phases to eventually power over from short range to take the lead for the first time as the score moved to 11 – 15.
Uttoxeter showed growing maturity as they responded with an excellent passage of well structured rugby. The adhered to their game plan and put a number of phases together, Knox was able to break from out wide and he sprinted into Harborne’s 22 only to be caught by the last man. Knox was able to offload the ball and Gorman latched onto the end of the pass and crashed over the line to once again take the lead Sherratt added the extras as the score moved to 18 – 15.
The score was soon levelled by Harborne as their kicker was successful with a long range penalty to make the score 18 – 18 with 10 minutes left to play.
Harborne kicked deep into Uttoxeter’s half, Tom Hayes countered from deep. The young Full Back made an elusive run before being brought down but the visitors were over eager and went off their feet at the ensuing ruck. Cabrera opted for the corner and Sherratt sent the ball out giving Uttoxeter a linout on the hosts 22.
Cabrera’s throw was held by Carr and Uttoxeter set up the driving maul. Uttoxeter edged forwards and powered for the try line before Gallimore sent the ball out to the backs. After a number of short phases Gallimore changed the direction of play and Gorman was able to crash over out wide to once again give the lead to Uttoxeter.
The match was far from finished and Harborne had one final attack as they were awarded a lineout inside Uttoxeter’s 22. But Uttoxeter’s defence was uncompromising at this point and the they closed Harborne out and regained possession. Gallimore was able to clear the ball out to end proceedings.
Joe Gorman was selected as the man of the match
A Davies
J Batista-Cabrera
A Smith
J Holme
T Carr
A Lakin
T Grout
J Gorman
T Gallimore
J Cripps
H Knox
D Furniss
S Bassett
T Hayes
H Finlayson
C Shaw
M Nance
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