Sat 8 Nov 2025
Three Saturdays since the last time the Vikings took the field (one walk over, one reserve weekend) next it was Market Harborough 2s. Pre-game wasn’t without practical challenges. Whilst captain Ross Spencer made it back with time to spare from a weekend in the Peaks, starting winger Alfie Holmes wasn’t so lucky with a blown tyre. That required a last-minute lineup change, with Jacob Moore (who was in the three tyred car before being rescued by Number 8 Adam Mayes) coming into the back line.
The first 15 minutes of the game can be summarised by an update to the squad’s group chat – ‘we’ve had about 30 seconds of possession’. Fair play to the home side, who were able to keep Sileby pinged back in their own half and turning the screw. Whilst the midfield defence was strong – led by a back row of Dave Maguire, Caiden Hodges in his first start and Mayes – softer shoulders were found in the wide channels. This is where the pressure relented, and Marky Harbs would take a 7-0 lead.
Fortunately, the rest of the first half was a much more even affair. With ball in hand the visitors were finally able to establish some territory through more invasive tactical kicking and a strong foundation at set piece. The latter would be the source of the first try, a scrum on the opposition’s 5 metre line resulting in a penalty. With free ball Fly Half Spencer delayed his pass enough to cause a dog leg, with Maguire the beneficiary to go under the sticks untouched. Then the former. A kick through from Centre Jack Chantrell was fumbled in the back field. One grubber later and Full Back Jon Griffiths would score. Both were converted by Wing Zak Loveridge.
The next two scores, either half of the oranges, were popular for the home fans. Just before half time Sileby once again were the architects of their own downfall, poor one on one defence allowing first a break through the middle, then for Harborough’s dangerous outside backs to score. Just after half time Sileby once again were the architects of their own downfall, poor one on one defence allowing first a break out wide. A penalty conceded, a quick tap and go and the home side would lead 17-14. Nervous.
That strong set piece foundation established in the first half? It would turn the tide. The next two scores would both come from drives. The first a maul travelling forward sucked in the home sides defence, creating space that Scrum Half Josh Freer would exploit to put Griffiths in in the corner. Then, Mayes would be the beneficiary of a pushover scrum. 17-24, a lead but a close one. Fortunately, the home side’s exertions were beginning to take their toll. Sileby were made to make a season high 148 tackles, 20% more than the next highest (with Maguire leading the way with 25 of his own for the game). Heavy legs meant were exploited by Chantrell to make a break, eventually feeding Griffiths to complete a hat trick. A sluggish end to the game meant a full-time score of 17-31.
5 points brought back to Platts, with third place Leicester Lions 99’s next.
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