Colts

Harlow 0 - 39 Shelford

On a cold but sunny afternoon in Harlow it was Shelford Colts that applied all the pressure, but some stout scrambled defence by Harlow kept Shelford at bay until the 15th minute when desperation saw Harlow give away a penalty in front of the posts which Ben Seymour slotted over. This seemed to settle Shelford who had taken one or to hard knocks from the big Harlow players and as there was only 15 men one or two were forced to play on though the pain. (well done girls told you it didn’t hurt) After this Shelford managed to get their running game going  and Charlie Baker scored to finish off a good line break by Ben Seymour which tom Mcginty converted. Just before the interval Matt Gregerson scored a try after Jon Minto had made the hard yards. At the turn around Shelford had started to boss Harlow ’s big forwards around and Ben Seymour scored  in the corner after some good forwards and backs interplay. Then it was Harry Robbins turn to be on the end of the best try this season with the forwards rucking the ball for 30m and a great switch move by the back row as they peeled away (of which the backs would have been proud) and some good passing to keep it alive, well supported by all. With 10 minutes left Richard Hall did a great show and go and with a great exchange of passes with the backs he finished off what he started and scored for Tom Mcginty to convert. With 10 minutes left Harry Robbins popped up on the wing to finish off a good period of back play to score in the corner, which Mcginty converted. With the clock running down, Shelford  found themselves under pressure and a sequence of silly penalties saw them defending their try line and holding back the Harlow onslaught until the final whistle and denying them a score. Full credit should go to Harlow for playing their part in a good afternoons entertainment. A good team effort from a scratch team with excellent effort from the 15 that showed. At the end of the game Jon Minto was presented with the match ball signed by all as he leaves us for Canada and the good life ? He will be missed. Good Luck Jon !

Under 17’s

Eastern Counties Cup Pool Stage

West Norfolk 19 Shelford 19 

With Christmas coming Shelford produced their version of the great escape on Sunday. Shelford needed just a point to secure top spot in pool A of the qualification group, and a home draw in the semi finals against Wymondham. Shelford lost the toss and were made to play up the sloping pitch and against the breeze. West Norfolk made the early running but Shelford weathered this storm and gradually worked their way into the game scoring first through Adam Hodgkisson with Will Barnes adding the conversion. With Shelford now exerting some control on the game, they scored an excellent back row try following a no 8 pick up and feed to blind side flanker Douglas Finlayson who side stepped the fly half to crash over. However, Shelford were beginning to get frustrated, resulting in West Norfolk earning a try and conversion against the run of play to close the half.

West Norfolk started the second half strongly, scoring two early tries and one conversion to lead 19-12. This was when the injury ravaged Shelford team showed their metal, and were determined not to loose. Again, up stepped last weeks saviours James Summerscales, who crashing over from a close range tap penalty and Tom Ward to again coolly slot the conversion.(19-19). With ten minutes still to play Shelford were playing to win, but time and fate thwarted their efforts and the game ended with honours even.