Despite the score-line Harlow ladies put up a strong defence against a more experienced side on Sunday. Although after three matches in the new division they have yet to record a win they are quite capable of playing in the higher division to which they were promoted this season. Their defensive play was good and the opposition scores only came after hard slogging through several phases of play.  When the visitors did break out the Harlow tackling was good with fly half Keighley Diprose and centre Sarah Stimpson putting in some massive hits. The deciding factor was that the visitors pack was better organized and quicker to the breakdown and perhaps a bit more streetwise when it comes to stealing ball. Although Harlow have some good forwards there have been a number of changes of both personnel and position this season and it will take a few games for them to work really well as a unit. This will happen as the season moves on and when it does the Harlow backs who are seriously fast will have the ball to inflict damage.

Despite playing uphill Harlow had a much better second half and managed to run the ball much more. Skipper Chloe Van Dop did a great job keeping the team going forward and leading by example particularly in the crash ball and like all good no 7s gave the opposing fly half a very hard time. Although conceding two more tries they finally showed what they could do towards the end when fly half  Keighley Diprose took the ball on her own 22 and out-sprinted three defenders over 70 yards to score.  In the closing seconds Tracey Lee the Harlow lock sustained a very serious knee injury which will put her out of action for a considerable time. As one of the most effective Harlow forwards she will be seriously missed in the coming weeks.

Harlow ahs always been a family club and new in the team this year are Rosa Handscombe, Becky Hodges and Sophie Bray all with parents who have played at the club and in the case of Becky twin brothers still playing. Also congratulations to Michelle Stannard who only recently took up the game and made her debut on Sunday.

Team: 1. Sam Acraman, 2. Jo Coare, 3. Kelly Cotterill, 4. Frankie Barnes, 5. Tracey Lee, 6. Rebecca Hodges (sub Kym Hunter 60), 7. Chloe Van Dop, 8. Michelle Stannard, 9. Nichola King, 10. Keighley Diprose, 11. Sophie Bray, 12. Emily Gizzi, 13. Sarah Stimpson, 14. Rosa Hanscombe, 15. Sally Ford.

Try: Keighley Diprose