HARWICH AND DOVERCOURT OWLS 61

PETERBOROUGH 0

(Women’s NC South-East East 2)

HARWICH built on their good performance from the previous week.

They immediately put the visitors under pressure, with their forwards tackling ferociously and turning over ball at the breakdowns.

Excellent handling from the backs and a great running line from winger Sybil Taunton saw her sprint under the posts from 30 metres. The home side kept up the pressure and soon, following another good move by the backs, Kimberley Hutchins scored a well-worked try.

Peterborough showed great resistance and soon tested the Harwich defence.

Some crunching tackles from Mimi Montgomery, Abi Cutts and Laura Hudson stopped them in their tracks and the running and handling of the Harwich backs soon saw the home side add to their tally.

The ball was moved through the backs and Yas Amber, playing her first game of the season after a long-term injury, hit a great line to score.

The Owls’ defence kept Peterborough under pressure in their own 22.

An attempted clearance kick was successfully charged down by Bronwyn Skipworth and, from the resulting scrum, Hutchins went over for another try.

Strong running by forwards Beth Lemessurier, Nicola Kington and Naomi Dobner was beginning to take its toll on the Peterborough pack.

As the visitors began to tire, Taunton and Hutchins capitalised to score two more tries, leaving the half-time score 40-0.

Peterborough began the second half with great spirit but, again, the ferocious defence of the Owls stopped them in their tracks.

As indiscipline crept into Harwich’s game, a series of penalties saw the visitors camped in the home 22 for almost ten minutes but they were unable to find a way through the home team’s defensive line.

The Owls were soon back in the ascendancy and Hutchins broke free from the halfway line to sore.

With Hudson winning the majority of lineout ball and the Harwich scrum disrupting the visitors’ set piece, Peterborough were seeing less of the ball.

Amber scored another trademark try, evading three tacklers to touch down, and, from the last move of the match, Hutchins crossed the line for her fifth try of the match.

Harwich travel to Leighton Buzzard on Sunday.