WYMONDHAM WASPS 10

HARWICH AND

DOVERCOURT OWLS 8

FACING the unbeaten league leaders was never going to be an easy task for the Owls.

However, they made the journey in the belief they could cause an upset.

The match started with the hosts showing why they are top.

Aggressive forward play and strong running from their back line put Harwich on the defensive but a determined effort by the visitors stopped the home side scoring.

Harwich gradually began to develop their attacking game and they were unlucky on a couple of occasions not to score.

Centre Lucie Gibson made a terrific break from just inside her own half with Annalise Allan in support but Allan was tackled before receiving the ball with a clear run at the try-line.

The Harwich forwards were holding their own in the set piece and competing well in the breakdown.

Mimi Montgomery’s strong running was causing problems for Wymondham’s defence.

One such run from the halfway line saw her brush off three tackles until she was stopped a metre from the try-line with a tackle that almost decapitated her.

The good line speed of the Harwich defence was putting so much pressure on the home side’s attack that they were struggling to put their passing game together.

When they did they were met with some defiant Harwich tackling, in particular from Yas Amber, who was once again proving to be a superb last line of defence.

Just before half-time, Allan made a break and chip kicked the Wasps’ full-back who blocked Allan’s path to the ball.

Allan kicked the resulting penalty to give Harwich a half-time lead of 3-0.

The second half saw the game ebb and flow with neither team able to stamp their authority.

The Wasps were pushing hard for a try and nearly achieved it when their impressive number eight crossed the line but the try was disallowed for a double movement.

However, shortly after this, she found a small gap in the Harwich defence and crashed over from five metres to score.

The Owls went straight back on the attack.

Allan, Montgomery and winger Sierra Brown made great breaks - only to be stopped just short of the line.

Harwich finally scored a try when quick handling from a ruck close to the home line saw Gibson score in the corner.

Wymondham came straight back and put Harwich under pressure.

Only a superb tackle from Amber prevented the Wasps’ full-back from scoring but, with only five minutes left, their number eight charged over for her second try.

Harwich pressured in the closing minutes, with Allan and Hutchins going close, but they were unable to find the winning score.

This was an immensely physical game and the Harwich side more than matched Wymondham in most facets.

Indiscipline at key moments cost the Owls dearly but also, with a bit of luck on their side, they could have taken the leader’s unbeaten record.