U10s Market Harborough Festival

March 11th – Market Harborough Festival
Today the U10s split with the “Lions” squad fulfilling a fixture at Men's own whilst the “Tigers” took part in the Market Harborough Festival. Unfortunately with George unable play due to illness
this left the team with 9 players only, so Jacob T. switched from the scrum to the Centre and the call went out for “super sub Aaron” to help out.
The conditions couldn't have been any different from last week with clear skies and warn sunshine lifting the spirits of both players and supporters. We were drawn in Group A which also consisted of Market Harborough A, Nottingham Corsairs, ON's (again) and Sihillians.

Match 1 vs Market Harborough A – Won 2-0.
This was an excellent opening match for Scouts. A good open match with both teams running well and committed in defence. However, the two teams cancelled each other out with half time seeing the match drawn at 0-0 with Lawrenze almost scoring just before the whistle.
The second half began in much the same way noticeable for a huge tackle by Sam which drew sharp intakes of breath from all those watching with the shock waves probably being felt back in Northampton. This also seemed to galvanise Scouts who then scored 2 tries, first from the super sub and then from Jacob T. from his unfamiliar position of centre.
A great first game and a deserved win for Scouts.

Match 2 vs ON's – Lost 3-1
This began as a quite scrappy affair with neither side able to retain enough ball to pose a threat to each other's line. However, ON's did finally go over for a 1-0 half time lead. They increased their lead early in the second half when the Scouts defence fell for a dummy pass
and the player going over untouched. However, following a powerful scrum from the Scouts pushing ON's off their own ball, Lawrenze stretched out a telescopic arm to reduce the deficit.
Unfortunately, there was time for ON's to restore their 2 try advantage with the score finishing 3-1.

Match 3 vs Sihillians – Lost 4-3
This game began badly for Scouts who seemed to be dozing in the sun when loose passes and missed tackles gave the opposition a 2-0 advantage. Rhys pulled one back for Scouts, but more lapses in defence gave Silhillians a 4-1 half time lead.
Scouts then began to play in the second half and the introduction of the super sub resulted in a good fight back by Scouts scoring 2 tries of their own through the super sub himself and then following a
steal at a line out by Ethan Rhys scored his second of the game. Scouts were now in total control and were pressing for an equalising try when the final whistle went with the score at 4-3 leaving the boys to
rue their 1st half lapses.

Match 4 vs Nottingham Corsairs – Lost 5-1
Corsairs went into the match having won all their previous pool fixtures and looking a very well drilled and organised side and they soon surged into a 3-0 lead. Scouts then began to find their feet
and following a spell of pressure were rewarded with a well deserved try when Callum bulldozed his way over. Despite Scouts best efforts Corsairs increased their lead to 4-1. Scouts were now looking tired, but produced a spirited display in the second half showing good
commitment to the cause and reducing Corsairs to only 1 score in the second half. They almost scored again themselves when Callum went within inches of his second try, but had the ball dislodged from his grasp in the process of scoring.

Again this was a good effort from the lads, but they couldn't quite repeat their heroics of the first match and eventually somewhat ran out of steam.