Shelford maintained their 100 per cent start to the Midlands 2 East campaign with a hard-fought 31-22 victory away at Market Harborough, ensuring the Peacocks head into the break-week sitting top of the table following Olney’s defeat to Peterborough.

In what proved to be another challenging away encounter, Shelford showed plenty of character and resilience to secure their sixth consecutive league victory, with four of those wins coming on the road.

The Peacocks could not have asked for a better start, taking the lead after just three minutes when Theo Aubrey intercepted a Harborough pass and raced away on an almost full-length run to score. Harvey Taylor added the conversion to give Shelford an early 7-0 advantage. The try maintained Aubrey’s record of scoring at least one try in every game of the season so far, with his impressive record now standing at nine tries from the opening six games.

The hosts responded well, however, hitting back with two tries to turn the game around and move 12–7 ahead.

But Shelford were quick to respond, with good ball retention from the pack close to the Harborough line allowing Oli Emsley to power his way over. Taylor added the extras to restore Shelford's lead at 14-12 after 20 minutes.

The Peacocks then soon extended their advantage further. A sharp first-phase move created the opportunity for Tui Baleisolomone to shimmy his way through the defensive line and touch down for Shelford's third try. Taylor again converted before adding a penalty shortly afterwards to stretch the lead to 24-12.

Harborough were not prepared to let Shelford pull away, though, and a third home try on the stroke of half-time reduced the deficit to 24-17, leaving the contest very much alive at the interval.

The hosts carried that momentum into the second half, crossing for their fourth try and securing their try bonus point to close the gap to just two points at 24-22.

With the game finely balanced, Shelford needed to dig deep, and the middle period of the second half became a real test of their defensive organisation, patience and game management.

The decisive moment eventually arrived through a well-worked Shelford attack, with Harvey Taylor finding himself on the end of the move to dot down in the corner for the Peacocks' fourth try and bonus point. The fly-half then produced an excellent touchline conversion to put some valuable breathing space between the sides at 31-22, taking his personal tally to 16 points.

With the momentum back in their favour, Shelford managed the closing stages well, keeping Harborough at bay and seeing out the contest without further alarms to secure another valuable five-point return.

Attention will now turn to a return to the Davey Field on 14 November, when Shelford welcome bottom-placed Nuneaton as they look to pick up where they left off and continue their impressive start to the campaign.

Try Scorers: Theo Aubrey, Oli Emsley, Tui Baleisolomone, Harvey Taylor. Conversions; Harvey Taylor (4) Penalties: Harvey Taylor (1)

Team: Ben Ashman, Michael Dunnett, Oli Emsley, Jake Prier, Osian Williams, Luca Martinelli, George Cracknell (C), Billy White, Liam O’Kane, Harvey Taylor, Harry Chater, Matt Reaney, Tui Baleisolomone, Hamish Westbrook, Theo Aubrey.

Bench: Miles Anderson, Sam Arbon, Ned Westbrook