Harlow Ladies 44 Cambridge 0

RFUW Eastern Div 3

Harlow entered this game against the league leaders with high hopes having only lost the away leg by three points. Harlow, now top of the league after this win are really justifying the confidence shown in them by sponsors Essence of India Restaurant.  Although the team have been doing well they would never have predicted a whitewash like this. More to the point the university based Cambridge side looked good on paper but had no answer for a devastating all round performance from Harlow. The game was played in drizzle and with a cold wind cutting across the wet and heavy pitch. The Harlow pack relished the classical midwinter rugby scenario and took play to the visitors throughout the game Cambridge had no answer to the mauls and the short stabbing runs to set up crash ball.  The resulting possession set up great opportunities for the backs. The result was eight good tries including a hat trick for Sarah Stimpson, a try for Emily Gizzi in her second game for Harlow and a try for Rebecca Conway making her debut in a Harlow shirt..

Harlow were onto the scoreboard within a couple of minutes with the pack driving forward and lock Tracey Lee crashing over. Five minutes later Harlow extended the lead moving the ball the full width of the field for Sarah Stimpson to sprint in for the first of her three tries breaking the tackle for the fullback on the way. Nichola Millman slotted the conversion with a drop kick. Harlow continued to apply pressure with especially the front row and White, Coare and Cotterill and Lee at lock keeping the visitors on the back pedal. The third Harlow score came from a good break by fly half Keighley Diprose making 20 yards and passing inside to scrum half Nichol King who made the line. Nichola Millman was just wide with the conversion attempt. On the point of half time they reversed the move with Nichola King making a break towards the line and feeding the scoring pass to Keighley Diprose making it 22  - 0 at half time.

Sarah Stimpson ran in her second try early in the second half covering 60 yards and beating the defence with sheer pace. For the next ten minutes the forwards dominate including one maul which made 35 yards, then from a scrum the ball was moved wide by Harlow. It went to ground and was quickly recycled for Emily Gizzi playing on her second game for the club to score in the corner. A few minutes later Rebecca Conway, making her debut for Harlow picked up on half way and went straight down the line for a 60 yard try. The final score from Sarah Stimpson stated with a very good pass from the tackle, the ball moving through several pairs of hands along her to take the ball at pace and again to show the visitors a clean pair of heels. The touch down was under the posts allowing Nikki Millman a safe conversion for 44 - 0. Harlow forwards continued to battle till the end. Cambridge had one chance from a lineout on the 5 metre line but Harlow spoiled their possession and drove them back 15 yards before kicking clear. A few minute later the game ended at 44 – 0

As a result of this win Harlow go top of the league on points difference. They have three more games starting with Southwold away next week and to be sure of top spot need to win all of them; despite the result on Sunday Cambridge are unlikely to drop another game

Team:  Sharon White, Jo Coare; Kelly Cotterill (capt.); Francesca Barnes;  Tracey Lee;  Chloe Van Dop;  Emily Gizzi,  Sarah Wootton;  Nichola King;  Keighley Diprose;  Nicola Millman;  Sarah Stimpson;  Kym Hunter;  Ann Ford,  Rebecca Conway.

Tries: Tracey Lee, Sarah Stimpson (3)   Nichola King,   Keighley Diprose,   Emily Gizzi, Rebecca Conway