Peterborough Ladies 22 Harlow Ladies 31

(25th January 2009)

RFUW SE Eastern Div III

Harlow Ladies made the trip to Peterborough this weekend in what proved to be their hardest fought league victory of the season. A traditionally very strong team Peterborough started well and put the pressure on Harlow from the off doing what they have always done best, powering up the middle of the park with their heavy forwards. It wasn't long before they were rewarded with a well earned try. Harlow now clearly under pressure from what was a relentless attack defended superbly in preventing the home team  putting more past them but as the half closed The home side kept on the pressure and again where rewarded a try from some bad communication from a lineout. Half Time 12-0

After the break it was a major turnaround. Harlow always being the faster team started to draw the defence and attack the space.  A very quick draw and give from Sarah Stimpson at fly half opened a huge hole enabling Davina McLennan to crash through and run 35 yards to put the ball under the post, the conversion from Emily Gizzi put Harlow back in the game. Never the team to back down Borough again came back strongly but this time Harlow where ready. Now realising they could beat this team Harlow's forwards stepped up a gear and closed down Borough's march up the park. Some sloppy ball handing gave Harlow the scrum. From a good solid forwards platform the ball was shipped cleanly out to the backs and with a great turn of pace outside centre Danni McKenna was able to clear the line and run it in under the post from her own half. Another solid conversion from Emily Gizzi gave Harlow a 2 point lead.

Now using pace and intelligent rugby to outwit the brawn of Peterborough Harlow began to pass the ball about making the home team work in defence. Great hands down the line enabled Sarah Stimpson to link in with the centres and wing to clear the now broken defence. It ended up being a simple run down the wing to give her an unconverted try.

Peterborough's sprit now broken Harlow took control of the game. Now playing with confidence the forwards decided to try their luck. A well defended attack from Harlow put the ball 20 yards from Boroughs try line. With all the forwards working brilliantly together they were able to start an old school rolling maul, with some great communication between Hooker Emily Gizzi and Captain Kelly Cotterill they were able to move the ball away from borough giving Kelly a chance to crash over the line for what this season is now her trade mark try.

Peterborough's morale in all but tatters and Harlow playing like their lives depended on it kept on the pressure. And in an almost identical maneuver from her first try Danni McKenna was able to break though a huge hole created by Davina to run in Harlow's last try of the day.

The pressure Harlow put on Peterborough started to take its toll as fatigue started to show and now was Peterborough's chance to exact revenge. Showing great sprit they took full advantage and smashed through Harlow's how flagging forwards to run in a try.

With Danni McKenna now off injured and prop Sam Acraman down Peterborough went in for the kill. A tired and disorganised Harlow couldn't stop another strong attack which again yielded a well deserved try. But it was too little too late for Peterborough. Final score Harlow 31 Peterborough 22

Next week the ladies play a friendly against Tabard away before their last away league fixture against Southwold. There will be a team bus for that game and supporters are welcome.

 Tries: Cotterill (1), Sarah Stimpson (1), Davina Mclellan (1), Danni McKenna (2)

Conversions: Emily Gizzi (3),

Team: 1. Sam Acraman, 2. Emily Gizzi, 3. Sarah Lucas, 4. Carla Souch, 5. Tracey Lee, 8. Kelly Cotterill (Capt), 9. Niki Millman, 10. Sarah Stimpson, 11. Toni Beard, 12. Davina Mclellan, 13. Danni McKenna (Sub Deena Clark 55 mins), 14. Donna Mercer, 15. Abi Perry

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