Harlow Ladies Boudicca Cup

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Harlow Ladies showed how much they have improved from last year by going one better and finished as runners up in this year’s Boudicca Cup in Ipswich.

The tournament was divided into two “leagues” of 4 10-ten aside teams with the winners of each group playing in the final.  In Harlow’s pool were Basildon, Southold and Writtle Wanderers. 

Harlow started the tournament against their local rivals Basildon for what would ultimately be the deciding match of this pool.  Harlow started the match the brightest dominating Basildon in every facet of the game.  Harlow’s forwards were particularly dominate with the likes of Tracey Lee turning ball over at every opportunity and Jo Coare’s pick and goes constantly leaving Basildon on the back foot.  Nicky King’s sniping around the base of the set pieces and breakdowns disrupted any ball Basildon had and within the first 15 minutes Harlow were in control running in 3 tries and a conversion to build a 17-0 lead with 5 minutes to go.  Dominating the game for so long and the long drive up started to take its toll and two highly dubious tries and poor refereeing decisions set them up for a nervy finish however Harlow’s defence remained resolute to finish the game as winners 17-10.

Harlow’s next match was against a much bigger Southold side.  Not to be perturbed against the larger pack Harlow played intelligently changing their game plan slightly so that they could get quick ball out to the backs to score who did not disappoint.  Clinical finishing from Sarah Stimpson saw her score 4 tries with her pace and vision and soon had this game killed off as a contest eventually running out winners 27-0.

The last group game was against Writtle Wanderers.  Needing to win this game to be sure of qualifying for the final Harlow were fired up and produced their best game of the group stage.  Forwards and backs combined beautifully offloading the ball in the contact area to keep the momentum going the tries scored were pure class.  Forwards rolling mauls and peeling off to score, backs moves out wide and good support play made sure there was only to be one result scoring 7 tries on their way to a 39-0 win.

In a buoyant mood Harlow were determined to get a result in their first ever final against the host side Ipswich a team two leagues above them. Harlow however could not quite manage break them down.  Harlow can take heart from the final game though as most of Ipswich’s tries came from breakaway’s as a team Harlow actually managed to outplay the host’s for most of the game the forwards excellent and the backs tackling superb they stuck doggedly to their task and were rewarded in the last 5 minutes of the match with two well deserved tries scored by scrum-half Nicky King. Final score 10-38. 

All of the ladies played excellently throughout and are showing great team spirit and determination together with a hunger to win.  A pleasure to watch and a great experience for all involved.  Hopefully Harlow can now take this form into the league and build on it for promotion this year.