RUGBY UNION: A GRITTY performance from Harbury was enough to see them through to the third round of the Midlands Junior Vase.
Harbury faced St Neots away from the home, the hosts fielding a physical pack with strong running centres and handy kickers.
The home side dominated the opening quarter of the game and were soon ahead when a straightforward kick handed St Neots an early lead.
A try following a defensive error weakened Harbury’s position in the game, though they were somewhat relieved to see the conversion missed.
Harbury started to apply pressure to the hosts, but they weren’t helped when three balls were dropped in the act of scoring.
Pressure eventually told when Ricky Alford kicked a penalty to reduce the deficit to just five points.
Saints restored their eight ponit lead with a penalty before Harbury’s Matt Morphet was forced off the pitch with a knee injury.
Despite the set back, Harbury scored two quick tries to put them in the driving seat – 13-11 ahead at the break.
Determined not to let their lead slip, Harbury extended their lead at the start of the second half when forward Steve Alford powered through the home cover to score a deserved try.
Saints then crossed to line to move within two points, but a missed conversion ultimately cost them the game as Harbury ran out 18-16 winners.
Harbury are back in league action on Saturday away to Redditch.
