QBE Harbour get up for a gutsy win

On a beautiful night for running rugby, Harbour certainly showed their intentions early. From the kick off the Harbour forwards got straight into the work, turning over the ball early and with only 4 min on the clock working the ball wide to see Afa Faatau score his first try in Harbour Colours. Matt Vaega slotted the extras. Counties looked threatening though with two big busts from Jordan Taufua creating sustained pressure on the Harbour defence, that held well. After 12 min that pressure gave the Counties fullback 3 points, with the previous ruck seeing Piers Francis off for a concussion test. A second penalty attempt by Counties hit the post 4 min later. The pace of the game settled down with both sides fighting hard for possession. Jordan Taufua continued to look threatening and took his chance from a quick ruck play to dive over the line. Counties 10 - Harbour 7.

QBE Harbour, led by strong running from Michael Little and Matt Vaega, pushed hard on the Counties defensive structure with Vaega going over the line - only to knock it on in his dive. That play saw Copunties wing Sam Vaka going to the bin for an early tackle. Whilst Harbour did not take the kick in that play they did receive another penatly three minutes later and slotted the three to bring the score line to 10 each a Half Time.

The second half started as a real arm wrestle, punctuated by great breaks by Harbours full back Matt Duffie, who ran 60m before being chopped down. Sherwin Stowers repaid the compliment but again these attacks came to nothing. At the 50 min mark, Bryn Gatland was introduced for his first cap following a solid contribution by Matt McGahan. Immediately the ball was swung wide to Michael Little who again he split the defense in an electrifying break. An injury to the Counties loosie Fotu Lokotui saw the game paused for 6 or 7 minutes and Harbour bring on more changes with Karl Tuinukuafe and Glen Preston introduced into the forward battle. At the resumption of play, Bryn Gatland steps up for the first time and calmly slots 3 to put Harbours nose in front. Off the kick off Harbour won the breakdown and fired the ball to matt vaega who again broke the line and made matres before putting a slick grubber through that Michale Little pounced on. Bryn gatland slotted the extra to put Harbour out to 20-10.

At the 60 minute mark Jackson again went to his bench bringing on Dylan Lam for Brandan Nansen and Adrian Smith for Nic Mayhew. The game continued to be an arm wrestle. At the 67th minute the evergreen Chris Smylie joined the fray to mark his 50th cap. Harbour continued to make breaks whilst the Counties attack started to look disjointed due in part to the torrid defense that Harbour put up.With 8 minutes to go James Parsons and Afa Faatau were replaced by debutants in Vyron Smith and Mark Talea, meaning Harbour has played all its newcomers. Counties pressed and finally drove over in the 74th min to close the score line to 20-17. Counties then pounded the Harbour line until the 79th minute when Harbour won a penatly on their line to clear the pressure and take the game.