Date: Sun 16th Oct 2022

Time: 1.00pm

Match Report

This week saw perfect rugby weather at home against a mix of Rochford & Thurrock and Southend.

Harlow were missing a couple of players this week, so after a quick chat with the opposition coach and the referee and we started the game 11 a-side which would be played in quarters.

The opposition looked to have some big players and we spoke before the game started about being low and strong in the tackle and backing each other up, always be in support of your teammate. Harlow started very well attacking strong up the middle plenty of carries from Lily and Grace with some excellent rucking from Isabelle and Niamh saw us playing opposition half for a good attacking spell. As Harlow were stringing together some phases there was a turnover 2 meters from the opposition line and a few quick passes saw them run the full length of the field to score their first try which was converted (0-7).

The restart was taken, and the game carried on well. Both sides playing great rugby there was a few turnovers from both teams and the ruck area was really competitive. The opposition managed to string a few phases together and scored again this time out wide which was unconverted (0-12). From the restart pressure was put on the opposition and Harlow were playing rugby in the right areas. Again, some excellent rucking and mauling from the forwards saw us continuing to gain ground towards the opposition line. With the opposition getting drawn into the rucks the ball was quickly sent wide with Connie running an excellent line back inside for Harlow’s first try which was converted by Karolina (7-12).

The game became a bit of an arm wrestle in the middle of the pitch with some fantastic defence from Cherys and Elexis. There was a period of scrums with Tasha attacking well and a few passes started to come together. For all the hard work from Harlow the opposition were still gaining confidence and attacking well. The next two scores belonged to the opposition seeing them take the lead (7-24). The girls had a conversation under the posts and were determined to score the next points. The next phase of play saw a dominant forward display from Harlow that saw Tasha barge her way over to bring the score to (12-24).

Halftime 12 – 24.

The girls remained calm and talked about what was working well and how to continue to push forward. They decided that they needed to use their out wide options better and needed the ball to go through the hands more. They executed brilliantly and saw some excellent hands and go forward from Cadence and Wik. This led to a great try from Karolina who converted her own try (19-24). This really gave the girls a boost and they continued to pass the ball well. This quickly led to Karolina scoring another great try in the corner (24-24).

We went into the final quarter all level. The opposition had been using their rolling subs well, but the Harlow girls dug in and decided that they did not want a draw and went hard into to the next five minutes. Lily took and excellent line and ran hard, bumped a few tackles and for the first time in the match Harlow were in front (29-24). However, the opposition were not ready to give up and played some great rugby. Both teams were very determined and some of the collisions were very hard. Some continued pressure saw the opposition score in the corner, back to all square (29-29). Under the posts Lily talked to the girls and they felt that a draw was not a fair result for all the hard work they had put in to come back from being 17 points behind. The restart was taken, and Isabelle made an excellent tackle with the opposition knocking on. The resulting scrum saw Tasha make a break with excellent support from the forwards. The ball was recycled well, and the backs hands were fantastic. I am sure that all eleven of the Harlow girls touched the ball to see Lily score the winning try that was converted by Karolina (36-29).

Final score 36-29. 

This was another fantastic game to watch. All the girls worked incredibly hard from both teams and everyone that watched enjoyed it. I have to say leaving that long to secure the win has given me a few extra grey hairs but was a great afternoon of rugby.

Player of the week was another incredibly hard choice as they all played well. This week it went to Cherys. She made some fantastic tackles and was involved in everything that help to secure the win. She never gave up and worked tirelessly throughout the entire game. Well Done.

This week fan club shout out goes to Karolina, although no signs so they will have to up their game for next time.

Players – Niamh, Isabelle, Connie, Lily (captain), Grace, Tasha, Karolina, Cherys, Cadence, Elexis, Wik.

Tries –                 Cons –

Connie                 Karolina x3

Karolina x2

Tash

Lily x2