|
Harlow Ladies 20 Hitchin Ladies 7
14th November 2010
League:
National Challenge South East: North Division 2
Harlow Ladies overcame
appalling weather conditions to take the points against a strong and well
drilled Hitchin side on Sunday. Overnight rain made the pitch extremely
heavy and further rain falling throughout the game produced a greasy surface
which made fast running and slick handling very difficult. The visiting side
caught Harlow off balance in the first two minutes of the game putting their
centre clear for a 50 yard run to score under the posts; the easy conversion
giving them a seven - nil lead. They could have been forgiven for thinking
that they were heading for an easy win but Harlow immediately regrouped and,
despite many further attacking runs during the game, hard first time
tackling made sure that they never got into open space again. The Harlow
pack were able to dominate the play throughout, providing plenty of good
possession and made good use of both ruck and maul to force the opposition
back. Harlow closed the gap after seven minutes when fly half Lucie Gibson
broke away from the Hitchin 10 metre line and sprinted 35 yards to touch
down for a try near the corner. The game continued to be a close contest
fought midfield. Harlow had several half breaks at centre before they moved
the ball wide for fullback Abbey Perry to come on to the end of the line and
take the pass. Despite the difficult conditions she produced will real pace
to cut round two defenders for the touchdown. The difficult surface made
conversion kicking almost impossible but Harlow had a 10 points to 7 lead.
Harlow came close to scoring from the rolling maul on several occasions but
then just before halftime they moved the ball wide again and Perry into the
line to sprint clear for another excellent try making the score 15 points to
7 at halftime.
As the rain continued the surface became more difficylt. This suited the
Harlow pack who were prepared to keep the ball tight and drive hard at the
opposition. The front row of Baldwin Lucas and Cotterill played a major part
with strong support from Tracey Lee the Harlow skipper who was playing a
lock. When held the Harlow pack made good use of the No.8 pick up with
Claire Lacey driving in hard to set up the next attack. There was one phase
of play towards the end of the game when Hitchin got into the Harlow 22 and
drove towards the line in a series of attacks. Harlow defended strongly
however and eventually managed to clear the ball to touch just outside the
22. Five minutes from time another good attack from the Harlow forwards deep
in the Hitchin 22 sore them drive over the line for Sarah Lucas playing at
hooker for Harlow’s forth try. A reward for a pack who had worked tirelessly
yhtoughout. Soon after the restart both sides were happy to hear the final
whistle.
Team: 1 Tina Baldwin, Sarah Lucas, 3 Kelly Cotterill, 4 Sonia Rochester(sub
Stevie Doherty 35), 5 Tracey Lee (Capt.), 6 Leah Dixon, 7 Nikky Millman, 8
Claire Lacey, 9 Nicky King (sub Kym Hunter 60), 10 Lucie Gibson (sub Emily
Gizzi 30 & Carla Marshall 55), 11 Sophie Bray, 12 Davina McLellan, 13 Dani
McKenna, 14 Shelley Morgan, 15 Abigail Perry, 16 Carla Marshall, 17 Stevie
Doherty, 18 Emily Gizzi, 19 Kym Hunter.
Tries: Lucie Gibson, Abi Perry (2), Sarah Lucas.
If this result puts Harlow had top of their league although the competition
is only at an early stage and several of the chasing clubs have a game in
hand. It was however a good results against one of the more promising sides
in the competition. Next Sunday Harlow make the long journey to
Wellingborough. If they can field a full strength side and take the points
on this occasion then their league challenge will be one. The rival clubs
will have to take seriously.
Harlow
ladies are always looking to recruit new players: please email ladies@harlow-rugby.co.uk or phone Tracey Lee on
07890 632238
|
This photo is from the 2010/11 season
This photo is owned by:
Dave Sharp
This photo shows:
Ladies XV
Here comes the plant
The opposition were:
Romford
This photo is from the 2007/08 season
This photo is owned by:
Dave Sharp
This photo shows:
Ladies XV
Passing
The opposition were:
Chelmsford
|
