Date: Sun 9th Oct 2022
Time: 1.30pm
Match Report
This week saw the U16 girls take on Bancroft and Upper Clapton at home in a friendly.
The teams were well matched with both sides having Essex representatives playing. The game started very well for Harlow and our no. 10 Karolina scored a great try in the corner (5-0). Harlow were playing strong rugby tackling, rucking, and mauling very well. But the second try came from quick ball, the passing was fantastic, and we recycled the ball quickly. The pass was pushed out wide where Isabelle caught a great pass and was able to use her strength to get over the line (10-0).
Bancroft & UC started to put some phases together and were using their big runners well, their 12 was making great ground. A missed tackle saw Harlow chasing down the try and when everyone thought that the opposition had their first score, Grace informed the referee that it was short of the line. Harlow made a quick counter, and two passes later saw Karolina run the length of the pitch to score her
second try and the conversion (17-0).
The opposition came back strong, the Harlow girls fought back well but eventually conceded a try (17-5). The girls regrouped well and got back to competing well in every area of the game. There were carries from most of the girls and great work rate to support each other. There was a turnover in the middle of the pitch from some great counter rucking from Elise and Lily and the ball once again made it out wide. A few phases later and some quick thing from Tasha saw her go over the line which was converted by Karolina (24-5)
Just before half time the Harlow girls went to sleep a bit and conceded a converted try (24-12)
Half time 24-12.
The second half started how the first had ended and Harlow conceded 4 tries and for all the hard work and determination shown in the first half found themselves losing (24-32). The girls came together in the middle of the pitch and as a team decided that Harlow were going to with the last quarter no matter what. The girls upped their game and were back playing in the same manner as the first 30 minutes. Cherys made a great tackle on their 12 who knocked on and Harlow won the scrum. Tasha made a one of her many quick breaks of the back of the scrum and with the support from Abi and Elexis the ball was retained. The resulting phases saw Karolina run in for her third try (29-32).
Bancroft and Upper Clapton were piling on the pressure and Harlow kept calm. Made their tackles, ripped the ball in contact and rucked very well. Harlow had a line out just outside their own 22, using a planned move Isabelle threw over the jumper to Lucy on her first game for Harlow made an excellent catch and passed to Tasha. The ball moved to Karolina and using here incredible pace and footwork scored again (34-32).
The last five minutes as a supporter and parent were stressful. Bancroft threw everything at Harlow, but they kept their composure, and everyone was doing their job. When Bancroft made a break in the corner, we thought it was all over. Tasha disagreed and never gave up on the tackle pushing the opposition into the dead ball area. The 22 drop out was well caught by Bancroft and they were attacking again. After a few great tackles, a turnover was won, and all Harlow had to do was retain the ball for a few minutes to finish the game. But some poor handing saw the ball loose on the ground with Bancroft really close by. Luckily, Cadence reacted fastest and dropped on the ball and with the support from Abi we were able to turn this into an attack. This saw Tasha run nearly the entire length of the field it what can only be described as slow motion. Both touch lines were in full voice. Tasha scored and Karolina converted (41-32).
Final score 41-32.
This was a very physical game and both teams took some knocks and bumps. But it was a great game to watch and was played in the spirit of the game. Really looking forward to the return fixture.
Player of the week could have gone to lots of the girls this week. Grace was relentless in her work rate, Tasha played a great game and Karolina scored some fantastic tries and conversions. This week it went to Lily for leading from the front tackling, rucking, mauling and great communication with the referee and helping to pull the girls back together after the slump in the middle.
A special shout out to the Abi supporters, you are welcome every week
Players – Elise, Isabelle, Lucy, Lily (captain), Grace, Tasha, Karolina, Cherys, Cadence, Elexis, Abi.
Tries – Cons –
Isabelle
Karolina x4
Tash x2
Match Gallery U16 Girls v Bancroft 09.10.22
