RFU SENIOR VASE LONDON REGION FINAL
Old Merchant Taylors’ 19
Harrow 29
Old Merchant Taylors’ manager Gordon Brown has urged his players to get Saturday’s RFU Senior Vase defeat to Harrow out of their system’s quickly and end the season on a high by sealing promotion from London Three North West.
Brown’s side were beaten by promotion rivals Harrow for the second time in as many weeks in the London regional final as a late lapse in concentration in the final five minutes saw a 19-19 draw become a 29-19 defeat.
It ended their dreams of Twickenham for another year, however they can still make it a superb season by securing one of two promotion spots and Brown has warned his players not to let their Vase exit ruin what has been an excellent campaign.
He said: “We are, of course, disappointed to lose, but know that Harrow is just one small step ahead of us in terms of development. We wish them well as they move onto a national semi-final.
“Full credit to our squad, however, as we are proving we have strength in depth unlike many other teams playing at this level and have developed hugely since last season. We are still a very young team in development, with our average age on the pitch under 25.
“We now need to turn our minds to the remaining three matches of the season which will determine our promotion. Saturday is our final home league match of the season where we take on Hitchin. We then take a week’s break from league rugby and travel to Stevenage on April 5 and Wasps on Saturday, April 12.
“It’s down to us to take the 15 points on offer from these three matches.”
More than 100 spectators turned out to watch the valiant Taylors’ boys bow out of the competition, losing their concentration at the death after a solid showing.
Captain Peter Trapp dislocated his shoulder in the second period and that will be a big concern for Brown as the season reaches its climax.
However, the club did welcome back Marcus-Alexander Neil from Oxford this week and gave a debut to Leo Buizza against Harrow.
Chris Wombell is also back in the OMTs’ fold after a year out of the game travelling, further boosting Brown’s options for the run-in.
Meanwhile, London One North side Ruislip had no scheduled game at the weekend and are back in action on Saturday against Brentwood.
