Wednesday 07 July 2010

Olney proved a bridge too far for the Harpenden Praetorians, as a strong yet depleted squad competed for silverware at the home of the Mighty O’s.

Group Games

The group stages began alarmingly well for the Praetorians. An easy win combining pace and some quality keep-ball 7’s saw a 40-0 win with some stunning solo efforts from Muskett, Collins and Haddock. With the Emus dispatched next up where Three Shires Glazing, who, in stark contrast to all good double glazing companies promised a little, but delivered much. Three Shire’s deliverd a punch in defence and, despite their disadvantage owing to their age, kept the ball remarkably well. 3 Shire’s scored two breakaway tries in the opening 7minutes, to put the brakes on Harpenden’s march towards some potential silverware. Coach Chichenfactor’s introduction of Trotter and Sheehan at half-time added some 7’s experience to the Praetorians, and two pieces of magic from Collins and Muskett saw a close-fought victory for the Praetorian side. With Wolfpack 7’s crying off the final group game was against the un-fancied Towcestrians side. An anagram of the local-yokels proved accurate as the “incest was ort” provided some feisty opposition to the Harpenden side. The young Towcestrians strongly, opening up a two try advantage before a Muskett break helped Harpenden back into the game. Some stern words at half-time produced the desired effect, with the Praetorians told to keep the ball, and be more assertive in defence. Duly Harpenden delivered and with a neat show-and-go from Collins from open play and neat interplay between the Duke and Stitch, Harpenden stole the show with a crucial 7 point advantage. The game ended in a few fisty-cuffs which were soon quashed, and decency was restored. Harpenden took the spoils and the tag of Group winners.

Quarter Finals

Ah the ol’ enemy, Kukri Spartans. One of the pre-tournament favourites and self-titled “glam” sides on the open circuit, it promised to be a nip and tuck affair. The Spartans picked a formidable side, laced with talent from National 2 & 3 and with a good degree of size to boot. The Spartans started much the brighter, taking an early lead owing to some powerful open play and deft off-loading. A horrible injury to Myler enabled Stitch to enter the fray. Play and possession to-ed and fro-ed between the sides as the breakdown was became a war of attrition. The Praetorians got themselves on a level-footing owing (again) to a decisive break from the maestro Collins, a sizzling step from Haddock and deft hands from Trotter gave Collins the edge over his man to the line. Back came the Spartans with gusto, adding another score shortly before half-time. Again the emphasis was on coolness when on the ball, and above all patience, knowing that opportunities would surface. Sure enough Bache combined well with Trotter who fed the Duke, who powered over for a score out wide, the conversion was made giving the Praetorians a slender, but vital lead. The Spartans cranked up the pressure in defence, creating chinks in their rush defence, which was spotted by Collins, his initial break, before feeding Sheehan who in-turn fed Haddock for a vital score, and a 9 point lead. The Spartans crossed in the final moments of the game, but the score finished 21-19 to the Praetorians.

Semi Finals

Following the bruising encounters of Kukri Spartans and Towcestrians, Harpenden’s ragarty bag of boys had a 10 minute rest to get themselves “up” for their semi final encounter against POD (British Heart Foundation). The green machine roared into life, and from kick-off showed Harpenden that contrary to popular belief size can and often does matter in 7’s. Harpenden’s injury list extended to three players and, with resources stretched this proved a game too far for the Praetorians. Duke, Trotter and Collins worked fearlessly in the face of an excellently-managed POD side, who knew how to play keep-ball in 7’s. This, coupled with their pugnacious defence kept Harpenden’s ball-players quite for the first half, as POD ran in three quick scores. The second half highlighted the Praetorians never-say-die attitude, and although they couldn’t trouble the scorers, they defended diligently and should have finished several moves, which would have made the score more honest. Fair play to POD, who went on to thrash Towcestrians in the final.

Squad;

Stevens, Seymour, Payne, Cal, Myles, Collins, Bache, Haddock, Sheehan, Muskett, Leyland.

Coach; Nick Chichester-Miles

Player of the tournament – John Collins.

The Scribe x