Penalty agony as Shelford slip to defeat to Harpenden in London League 1N

Shelford missed out on victory over Harpenden by the width of the post as they had to settle for a losing bonus point in London League 1N.

The hosts made a bright start to the game, enjoying the better of the contest but Lewis Cracknell’s penalty bounced back off the upright – a fate that was to befall the fly-half again later in the game.

Cracknell landed another penalty to make it 3-0 after 15 minutes, but to add salt into the wound of Shelford’s dominance, Harpenden responded with a try from a catch and drive in their first attack of the game.

A well-worked move saw Aki Lea offload to Brad Barker to score in the corner after 27 minutes to put Shelford 8-5 ahead. However, they trailed 12-8 at half time after a move out wide saw Harpenden score a converted try.

At the start of the second half, Shelford’s Matt Gregerson was shown a yellow card, and while he was in the sin bin, Harpenden touched down another catch and drive from a line-out.

On 54 minutes, a 5m scrum eventually led to young prop Owen Miller touching down his first Shelford try.

But in the closing minutes, Cracknell hit the post with a penalty for a second time in the game, meaning Harpenden held on for the win.

Shelford are away to Old Haberdashers this Saturday (January 25).