Rugby Union
Harbury make progress

Harbury 41 Trinity Guild 8

HARBURY produced a good display to brush aside spirited Trinity Guild in a Warwickshire Shield round one tie at Middle Road on New Year’s Eve.

The villagers, who were dominant in the sets and driving rucks, should have scored three tries in the opening quarter only to be pulled back on each occasion through forward passes.

However, they were not to be denied and a driving maul was finished off with an excellent pick up by Gaz Evans who touched down for a try which Richard Mazurek converted.

Harbury added to their score with their next visit into the Guild 22 when Mazurek converted a penalty.

Hooker Jeff Foster scored a try following another forward rumble, while good work by lock Sam Hawkins and centre Gregg Peebles set up Mikey Henderson who was stopped just short of the line.

Harbury continued to press and were rewarded when scrum-half Dan Bennett scored a sharp try which Mazurek converted.

Guild hit back and although they could not penetrate a tough defence they got themselves on the scoreboard through a penalty which reduced the arrears to 22-3 at the interval.

Harbury opened the second half with a well taken try by No 8 Jacob Hunt which Mazurek converted.

A string of attacks spearheaded by the ever forceful Peebles enabled Harbury to work the ball wide and wing Oli Perry finished the move off with a determined score.

The irrepressible Peebles completed the home scoring through an effective direct running line to touch down beneath the posts with Mazurek converting.

In the closing stages Harbury stemmed some determined running by Guild and coped well with a series of penalties close to their line. The young back row of Hunt, Chris Milburn and Ben Shinkwin characterised this effort. However, a loose flyhack by Harbury went straight into the hands of Guild’s forceful inside centre who from 10 metres out took a mazy route to the line, crossing for a deserved consolation try.

Harbury’s reward in a home tie againts neighbours Sotham in the Shield quarter-final on Saturday, January 21.

The villagers resume Midlands Four West North action at Birmingham Civil Service this Saturday.