Harlow 22 Deeping 0

(5th April 2009)

RFUW South East Eastern Div 3

Sunday the 7th April will be a match that will stick in Harlow Ladies heads for a very long time, All the seasons work with training, friendly’s and not to mention the other league matches would all be meaningless if they couldn’t walk away with a win. Both Harlow and Deeping where fighting for the converted top spot in South Eastern Division 3 and neither team where going to take it lying down.

A good crowd gathered at Ram Gorse in what was hoping to be a brilliantly fought game of rugby and nobody was disappointed. Tension in the Harlow’s changing room could be cut with a knife as all 15 players prepared themselves.

The referee blew for the kick off and Harlow attacked Deeping with everything they had. Knowing Deeping always having the upper hand in size Harlow opted for a faster and quicker paced game. Which almost instantly proved to be the correct option as Conway missed out a try within the first 5 minutes. 

Deeping totally bewildered with the shear speed of Harlow needed to pick up their game and done so well with some great rucking and tackling which Harlow dealt with and kept under control. Shifting the ball away from the danger area’s Harlow where able to work their way up the park and where eventually rewarded with a penalty 20 yards out. In a move that is almost unheard of at this level Harlow decided to kick for points but sadly missed but made a huge point to Deeping that Harlow where dangerous in just about every position on the pitch.

Using the same tactics of simply passing away from the big forwards and showing great skill in sucking in the Deeping defenders McCellen was finally given space to run. Clearing the back line and powering down the wing nothing was going to stop her from putting the ball over the line for an unconverted try.

Harlow now in the lead had confidence in their own ability and with the new found killer instinct it only took another 5 minutes for a brilliant pass from Stimpson to Perry who simply wrong footed her opposite winger was able to gas passed her to run in a 60 yard try under the posts, a simple conversion from Gizzi put the score at 17 -0 as they ended the first half.

Harlow knowing only half the job was done and now going downhill had to match the performance of the first half. Deeping was not going to allow this to be a walk over and Harlow felt the pressure straight away. Deeping wanted revenge. Powering up the middle of the park with their forwards they looked as though nothing was going to stop them. But then a handing error put the ball loose on the floor and Stimpson was able to kick it behind their back line. Showing brilliant reactions McLellan charged down the pitch to collect the ball, Abi backing her up took a clean pop pass and were able to take it to the full back. Not wanting to risk a tackle she sucked in the defender and passed to Stimpson who run it over the line for an unconverted try.

The final score of the match came from some great backs play. Always keeping the pressure on Deeping Harlow was able to control the ball locking them completely out the game. A scrum just outside the 22 yard line gave a good platform for the backs popping down the line and with Stimpson looping round to create an overlap Stimpson collected the ball and shipped it cleanly to Toni Beard who run over the line for her debut try for Harlow. With Gizzi missing the conversion the final score was a Harlow victory of 22 -0

Harlow couldn’t have asked anymore from themselves today they stepped up to the plate and played their socks off. With some outstanding performances from individual players it was a full team effort which gave them the win.

Now with summer break preparation for the league above is paramount to continue the success of this team... but for now they have earned a well deserved rest.

1. Sam Acraman

2. Carla Souch

3. Sarah Lucus

4. Claire :Lacey

5. Tracey Lee

6. Keighley Diprose

7. Emily Gizzi (1 Con)

8. Kelly Cotterill (Capt)

9. Niki Millman

10. Sarah Stimpson (1 Try)

11. Abi Perry (1 Try)

12. Davina Mclellan (1 Try)

13. Rebecca Conway

14. Donna Mercer

15. Danni McKenna

SUB

17. Emma O'Donnell (20 mins)

18. Toni Beard (15 mins 1 Try)

19 Paulette Tovy

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