RUGBY UNION: IT WAS a case of what might have been for Harbury as they started strongly at home to Bromyard but fell to a 29-10 defeat in the Midlands 4 West (South) division.
It was a disappointing outcome for Harbury after an excellent and committed opening ten minutes of play, reflected in a fully deserved 5-0 lead through a driving maul by the pack touched down by prop Ian Kimberley.
However, from the kick off Bromyard gained good field position in the home 22 and a simple knock on enabled their table-topping opponents an opportunity to apply pressure.
This indeed they did but Harbury held firm and from a scrum beneath their posts they moved the ball and the visitors’ excellent no 7 snapped the opportunity of a timely intercept to score beneath the posts, with the conversion putting the visitors two points in front.
Harbury put together some excellent phases of play as the half neared to an end but a mixture of Bromyard keeping their line intact and poor decision making provided little opportunity when sharp thinking may well have led to a lead change in the scoreline.
The conceding of a penalty took play once more into the home 22 but a well won set piece from Harbury was lost when the referee should have ordered a reset scrum as the pass from a Harbury player hit and rolled forward.
However, it was not to be and a penalty was awarded to Bromyard, on the cusp of half time, in front of the posts, the kick hit the upright and bounced back into play the visiting 12 them moved quickly and with good support play touched down wide out. The conversion was added for a 14-5 lead.
The second half was characterised by another poor retake from the kick off with another knock on. Bromyard added a well taken try wide out and extended their lead to 19-5. Ricky Alford entering the fray then showed his guile and strength as he burst through the visitors cover wide out to reduce the deficit to nine points.
Bromyard came back with a bonus point unconverted try and then on full time added another for a 29-10 win.
Harbury are away to Claverdon on Saturday.
