Tabard 17  5 Harlow 12 

10th October 2010

League: National Challenge South East: North Division 2

Harlow Ladies narrowly lost their first league match of the season. They were faced with a good side and it took them time to adjust their tactics to make full use of their strengths. In the final quarter when they put much more emphasis on a rucking and mauling game the Harlow forward play was awesome.

Harlow kicked off and the first 10 minutes of the game were spent in Tabard's half but Harlow could not break through. Both teams were playing well and making strong tackles: it looked like the sides were fairly evenly matched.  After a period of dominance by Harlow, Tabard gained possession, broke through Harlow's defence line and scored (25 mins.), but failed to convert. 

10 minutes later a great tackle by Perry (Fullback) left her injured and unable to continue, giving newcomer Rochester her chance to make an impact in her first game of rugby.  This change led to a major reshuffle of Harlow's team: Rochester came on at Lock, moving O'Donnell to flanker; Marshall to wing and Bray to Fullback: all players coped well with the change especially Bray at Fullback

Half Time 5 - 0

The second half saw some strong play from the Harlow forwards when they took control of the scrums; line outs; and mauls.  Harlow gained and retained a lot of possession but a ball stolen by a Tabard back led to their second try which was then converted.  55 mins. - score 12 - 0

A great catch from the kick off by Lacey led to solid play from Harlow forwards: their hard work paid off when a driving maul crossed the try line and Harlow were awarded a penalty try when a Tabard player was caught offside. 60 mins. - score 12 - 5

On 70 mins. another try from Tabard, no conversion took the score to 17 – 5. In the final 10 minutes Harlow continued to use their forward strength to good effect and the last play of the game saw their forwards grinding the ball up the pitch in a long series of 'pick and go' rucks, ending with a maul, driving over the line for a try jointly grounded by King and Lee; converted by Millman.

Full Time 17 -12

Tries: Penalty Try, Nicky King
Conversion: Nikky Millman

Team: Tina Baldwin; Sarah Lucas; Kelly Cotterill; Emma O'Donnell; Tracey Lee; Carla Marshall; Nikky Millman; Claire Lacey; Nicky King; Lucie Gibson; Sophie Bray; Davina McLellan; Rebecca Conway (Capt); Shelley Morgan; Abigail Perry (SUB Sonia Rochester (30 mins.))

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 2011/12 season

This photo is owned by:  Dave Sharp

This photo shows:

Ladies XV

Cuddle time

The opposition were: Tabard

This photo is from the 2010/11 season

This photo is owned by:  Dave Sharp

This photo shows:

Ladies XV

Another plant

The opposition were: Romford

This photo is from the 2009/10 season

This photo is owned by:  Dave Sharp

This photo shows:

Ladies XV

Muddy Nikki gets caught

The opposition were: Beckenham

This photo is from the 2011/12 season

This photo is owned by:  Dave Sharp

This photo shows:

Ladies XV

Mauling

The opposition were: Hampsted

This photo is from the 2006/07 season

This photo is owned by:  Dave Sharp

This photo shows:

Ladies XV

Pile up

The opposition were: Portsmouth

This photo is from the 2010/11 season

This photo is owned by:  Dave Sharp

This photo shows:

Ladies XV

hand off

The opposition were: Tabard