Under 7’s
Hardens under 7’s travelled to Tumut for two great games of Rugby on Sunday. Playing Tumut in the first round and Young in the second round the team displayed some great skills. Alyssa Brown was back for the day and showed some great attacking skills to score a number of excellent tries. Again Claire Matchett, Sharna Allen and Meg Kennett defended well keeping the opposition frustrated and pinned down for much of the time. Quick thinking by Erin Alcorn saw some dashing running for the corner. Solid support play from Jack Kennett and Jetta Kennett helped to forge a formidable team and make for a great day of rugby. Many thanks must go to Paula Alcorn and Michelle Kennett for honing those new skills at the Friday night training sessions.
Under 9’s:
Recruitment provides for revenge.
Tumut was the location for the third round of Games, where again the Harden Under 9’s continued to show improvement coming away with a solid win over Wagga Blacks that beat them last round, and a close game against Tumut, where the team went down 4 tries to 2.
Management continues to recruit well, with a debut game, touch then try for Jeannie Redmond, with a fast burst down the sideline, proving too quick and elusive. Tayla Gaudie also had some great runs, and was instrumental in retrieving control of the ball in close, when we were in defence. Molly Fredericks (apologies for incorrect name last game, we don’t even know who Molly Shannon is) showed her grit in making back to back tackles, shutting down a sideline break from Wagga, but with some great runs, was again rewarded with a try.
Luke Thorsby showed how straight running creates havoc to the other team and set up at least two team tries, with well timed passes creating space off the fringe. Sam Phillips was hard in defence, had 2 fantastic tries, one highlighting his deceptive step, and speed outside. Sam is certainly stepping up, wanting to be involved all the time.
Oliver Murphy continues to set-up and maintain the defensive structure for Harden, and was unlucky not to score, as he made full gain of a set play off the back of the lineout. Always putting his body on the line, the dedication to the team is inspirational.
Will Matchett was determined around the ruck, again securing lost ball from the opposition, and was able to drive forward providing good access for other forwards to make use of the field position. Sam Lenehan provided a try to be recorded in history. The little devil showed true grit and hunger to push over the line with at least 5 defenders hanging off him... at least 5! Nick Alcorn had a number of well deserved tries, and was among the hardest workers in both attack and defence.
Straight line defence and being fast off the line, was what kept Wagga pinned down, and gave us continual advantage in their defensive half. They couldn’t gain momentum, and time and again we were able to put their big forwards in to touch. Tumut had studied our form and used this knowledge to their advantage when we lined up against them in the second game of the day. Our continual attack was rewarded with two great tries; however, Tumut kept us from going straight which cost us valuable yards up the paddock.
With the next round to be played at home, and the Under 9’s coming up against these two teams again, the team looks confident to build on this weeks result, and likely come away with two wins. Well done to all.
Under 11’s
Hardens U’11 junior rugby put on two outstanding displays of rugby last weekend. The first game was against Wagga Black who are a very good team.
Wagga shocked the Harden boys into action by scoring two quick tries. When the little devils finally got their hands on the ball they were rewarded with a great team try to Tom Lenehan. Wagga continued their disciplined rucking and mauling to again dominate possession and were rewarded with another try.
Josh Barker followed closely behind some great forward work from Zac Pirie and Connor Woods to score close to half time to see the score 4-2 to Wagga at the break.
Tom Lenehan and Ollie Fairfield-Smith both scored in the second half but we were never able to close the two try margin. The final score being six tries to Wagga and four to Harden.
Every player contributed to this great game of football, probably the best game this aged correspondent has seen from any under eleven team.
Charlie Brown relished playing lock; while Harry Hart and Jack Alcorn stepped up to the next level and gave their all. Mark Thorsby continues to be one of our strongest tacklers and relished bringing the big boys down.
The second game against Tumut was a one sided affair with the Harden boys having a rampaging game. Tom Lenehan and Josh Barker were rewarded with early showers after Tom scored his fifth try of the game and Josh had got his third.
Edward McGeoch chipped in with two well earned tries. Rory Bolger showed great skills running down the touch line to score a great try.
Lane Gaudie had two great games. He was very strong in defence and was looking for the ball all day. He was finally rewarded with his first try in rugby after some great lead up work by the forwards.
Zac Pirie had a big day of effort, making many bustling runs and was rewarded with a big barn storming try in the closing minutes. Harden running out winners by 60-0.
Both games were very exciting and great to watch. With Matty Young and Tom Field getting stuck into every game, tackling everything that moves and supporting well they have shown great improvement in just a few games.
If this level of rugby continues we are in for a great year.
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