Reading Ladies 25  Harlow Ladies 15

RFUW South East Div 2

Harlow are beginning to match up to the much tougher level of rugby in the higher league. On Sunday they ran in three good tries and put in a spirited performance against a more experienced Reading side. Their pre-season recruiting drive has brought benefits and will start to pay off as the season progresses. They could still do with a few more players particularly those capable of playing in the pack where strength is more important than flat out speed and where a little extra weight can actually be an advantage.

Reading got away to a good start with an early try and then a second and a penalty. Harlow got back into the game thanks to a try from Keighley Diprose with a tap penalty which caught the defence by surprise allowing her to run the 10 yards to touch down.  She later added Harlow’s second with a good dummy switch bought by the opposition leaving her a clean run in.  Although Reading pulled clear with further tries, one converted, quick thinking by Diprose with another tap penalty allowed an offload to Sarah Stimpson who ran in a good try from 20 metres.

At present a number of players are having to play out of position but as the season moves on the team will settle and on this showing the results will come.

Tries: Diprose (2), Stimpson

Team: Kelly Cotterill, Tracey Lee, Sam Acramon, Frankie Barnes, Maria Terry, Kym Hunter, Emily Gizzi, Rebecca Hodges, Nichola King (capt,) Keighley Diprose, Rebecca Conway, Sally Ford, Nichola Millman, Sarah Stimpson, Rosa Handscomb, Mairead Barry, Michelle Stannard.

To view more match reports - click here