Thames 7 Harlow 53

(12th October 2008)

RFUW South East Eastern Div 3

Harlow Centres of Excellence

Harlow travelled to the new team in the league this season, Thames Toucanettes, keen to maintain their unbeaten start to the season but preparations were set back when in-form fly-half Sarah Stimpson picked up an injury and Keighley Diprose had to withdraw because of last minute work commitments. Nikki Millman moved up from fullback to slot in at 10 with Danni McKenna starting again at 15 as she had so successfully done in the previous away draw with Deeping. Deena Clark came off the bench to make her first start for Harlow in the second-row as Trounce moved to cover the absence of Diprose at flanker.

Hot, sunny and cloudless conditions could not have been better and thoughts of an improbable October suntan could have been forgiven in keen anticipation as the match kicked off but it was Thames who were left on the sun beds as Harlow made a determined and positive start with just 2 minutes on the clock as captain and No.8 Cotterill took the ball up powerfully and from quick ball, hooker Gizzi linked well with the backs for outside-centre Conway to score the game’s first try which was unconverted. Harlow continued their strong-minded start with aggressive work at the contact area which forced Thames to kick away possession. On 11 minutes the maturing McKenna fielded a kick down the middle and, beating 4 chasing defenders, set up a maul. Good work from the forwards secured possession and Millman set inside-centre McLellan free to make her first of countless clean line breaks that the powerful 12 was to make during the match. McLellan then linked with Conway who simply had to draw the shredded defence to give Perry a simple try on the left wing. Gizzi kicked the conversion. Harlow’s tails were really up now and from the re-start, great offloading from Lee and Acraman gave Conway the space to run in her second try from 50m out which included a beautiful step that left the Thames fullback clutching at thin air.

The next passage of play saw the best phase of the first-half for the home team which led to a lineout 5m from the Harlow line. Good work from Trounce jumping at the front spoiled Thames’s chance and as Thames attempted to run slow ball at the Harlow defensive line King, McCarthy and McKenna crunched the Thames ball-carrier and drove her back a full 20m to win a Harlow scrum. From here, McLellan again made a decisive break and her pass to Conway set the Harlow 13 off on another lung-bursting 60m run to the Thames tryline where she was caught just 1m short. After Gizzi secured the ball, King and Millman combined well to make the space for McLellan to score a deserved try on 26 minutes. 8 minutes later and it was Groundhog day but this time the Harlow pack won a scrum against the head on their own 22 and quick hands to McLellan saw her make another devastating break up the pitch for a 70m run just getting tackled short of the line but Millman, who had a very subtle but effective game, supported the run and got her reward with a try under the posts.

Half-Time Thames 0 Harlow 27

Any hopes Thames had that Harlow would let up the pressure in the second-half took just 4 minutes to evaporate. Strong carries from Lucas and McCarthy took the ball deep into the Thames half on the right and crucially, quick ball, particularly from when McCarthy took the ball up, gave the half-backs much more time and space on the ball to release the lethal Harlow centres. McLellan again made the outside break but the intelligent Millman linked with her on the loop and after she was tackled, Conway had a simple pick and go to complete her hat-trick. 6 minutes later, the Harlow scrum took another ball against the head and more quick ball from Millman released McLellan on a straight line up the middle and after nonchalantly side-stepping the fullback she scored her second try under the posts which Gizzi converted. With Harlow completely in the ascendancy in all facets of the game, the Harlow ladies could have been forgiven for slackening off but this team are playing with real confidence and all the best teams go for the jugular when in front and perhaps this Harlow team will be judged that way one day – but not yet. Ferocious chasing and tackling by Harlow’s smallest player Perry on a kick through gave Harlow another turnover and from 40m out, McLellan made a sublime outside break then straightening up she drew at least 3 defenders away from her inevitable support runner Conway who simply had to catch the pass and run in her fourth try under the posts which Gizzi again converted. It really was very attractive rugby to watch played in the most simple and effective way. The last 10 minutes of the game saw Thames score a converted try from the only real period of the game where Harlow lost concentration and poor tackling technique let Thames score a soft try from a tap-penalty but Harlow deservedly had the last word when McKenna again fielded a loose kick and a clever running line from Perry gave her the space to get outside the defence to score Harlow’s ninth try under the posts which Gizzi converted.

Harlow will be seeking to improve further on their unbeaten start when Helen Clayton, the 83 times capped England flanker takes them for training on the 21^st October.

Final Score Thames 7 Harlow 53

Scorers:

Tries: Conway 4, McLellan 2, Perry 2, Millman 1

Conversions: Gizzi 4

1. Acraman; 2. Gizzi; 3. Lucas; 4. Lee; 5. Clark; 6. Trounce; 7. McCarthy; 8. Cotterill (Captain); 9. King; 10. Millman; 11. Perry; 12. Mclellan; 13.Conway; 14. Mercer; 15. McKenna

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