Burnham Ladies 36 Harlow Ladies 0

Harlow ladies faced probably their toughest challenge yet in the league playing a very experienced and older Burnham side. Burnham have been playing together for 10 years and have a number of players who started as juniors have been away to university and then returned, gathering experience all the way.

For Harlow this was a major step forward; up to now they have taken advantage of the league rules, which allows teams in the lower divisions to opt to play reduced numbers. For this game however they fielded, for the first time, a full 15 player side and that despite having a further five players not available. Harlow defended well and for the first quarter contained the home side before a defensive mistake let the home fly half in for a try. Harlow showed promise with a very good lineout performance, taking clean ball themselves and on two occasions stealing opposition ball. In the set scrums they held well against a much more experienced and heavier pack. In the closing stages of the first half Burnham ran in two more tries but Clare Phillips at fullback saved two more with very positive tackling.

Harlow started the second half strongly but the loss off Sharon White their tight head prop, with a knee injury, meant that they played the final twenty minutes a player short. In the closing stages Burnham managed to run in three more tries largely as a result of attacks from their heavier forwards attacking ball in hand.

The move to the 15 a side game presented a learning curve for Harlow with players having to adjust to unfamiliar positions and to the problems of a much tighter defensive line. They came through well, tacking with great determination and courage, as has always been a hallmark of their play. Skipper Kelly Cotterill, playing at No. 8 for the first time was particularly effective in defence and on several occasions picked up well from the scrum to start good attacking moves. Four of the team were playing their first game of competitive rugby and came through well. Burnham come to Harlow on the 29^th Feb for the return match. They will find a side who have learned from the experience and will present a much harder challenge.

Once again Harlow Ladies would like to thank team sponsors Charvills for their ongoing support and for providing the minibus for transport to this game

Team: Nikki Millman, Sarah French, Kelly Cotterill (Capt), Alice Gladden, Rebecca Goodey, Robyn Childs, Frankie Barnes, Penny Griffiths, Sharon White, Claire Schneider, Eve Clarke, Jo Coare, Clare Phillips, Chloe Van Dop, Kim Hunter.