Harlow Ladies 36 Old Dunstonians Ladies 5
17th January 2010

RFUW South East Eastern Div 2

Harlow ladies produced a convincing win against old Dunstonians on Sunday, a result which now takes them to second place in their league, albeit with several of the teams below them are having games in hand. For the first few minutes it was a cut and thrust game midfield with neither side able to dominate but then on 10 minutes the visitors attempted a clearance kick downfield only for the ball to be taken cleanly by Abi Perry who out sprinted the defence over 40 yards to touch down. Emily Gizzi converted for seven nil lead. Five minutes later Harlow added a second try when No.8 Kelly Cotterill picked up from the scrum and drove into two defenders before offloading to Nikki Millman who found the gap and ran in for the try. Before halftime Harlow extended their score further when Dani McKenna pounced on a loose ball, running 30 yards to touch down under the posts allowing Gizzi to convert for a 19. points to nil lead at halftime.

Only 5 minutes into the second half a good attack by the Dunstonians was stopped by Abbey Perry with an excellent tackle but unfortunately she took a blow to the head and had to leave the field. From the ensuing scrum the visitors attacked again and Fiona, the Harlow player who was on loan to the visitors broke clear to score a try in the corner making the score 19 points to five. The next 10 minutes both sides fought out the contest midfield before a good break by the Harlow backs puts Dunstonians under pressure. Although the Harlow passing was not as accurate as it might have been Davina McClellan cleaned up and drove over the line with the ball. Emily Gizzi converted taking the score to 26 points to five. Harlow consolidated their lead in the final quarter of the game with what could be argued were the two best tries of the match. In the first slick handling moved the ball through the Harlow backs committing the Dunstonian defenders allowing Toni beard to take a clean offload and sprint in to the corner for the try. The final try started with a ruck from which Harlow fly half Rebecca Conway passed out to Dani McKenna before looping out wide to take the return pass and then touchdown over the line of as the opposition winger tried to make a tackle. A few minutes later the game ended with a final scoreline of 36 points to 5. It is a credit to Dunstonians that despite being short of players they were prepared to turn out and play a reduced sides game rather than cry off. Credit also to Fiona Meger from Harlow who agreed to play for them to even up the numbers and who scored their try! Harlow were also delighted to welcome back Nikki King, returning from maternity leave, who came on in her usual position of scrum half in the second half.

Tries: Abi Perry, Nikki Millman, Danni McKenna, Davina McClellan, Toni Beard, Rebecca Conway.

Conversions: Emily Gizzi (3)

Team: Tina Baldwin, Sam Acraman, Emily Gizzi, Carla Marshal, Sarah Lucas, Claire Lacey, Gemma Acraman, Emma Hancock, Tracey Lee, Kelly Cotterill (Capt), Nikki Millman, Nicky King, Rebecca Conway, Abi Perry. Toni Beard, Danielle Legget, Davina McClellan, Mel Quazi, Dani McKenna

In addition to bad weather Harlow have recently had several games postponed when opposition sides have cried off. Despite this lack of match practice they very quickly got back into their stride and by the second half were beginning to show the quality of passing which has been such a major feat feature of their play this season. Next Sunday they are due to play new ash green, an important challenge if they are to stay in the running for a high finishing point in the league table.

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