Harrogate RUFC Ladies represent the North in the RFU Women’s National Cup Finals.

The RFU Women’s Cup Finals were hosted by Royal Wootton Bassett RFC on Saturday 1st April and Harrogate Ladies were there in force representing the North of England in an event which was an incredible showcase of women’s rugby.

Harrogate’s match against Windsor kicked off at 11.30 am alongside neighbouring team Leeds West Park who played Gloucester-Hartpury. Respectively, Lewes played Reading Abbey and Loughborough played West Bridgford at 1.15 pm before they made way for the professionals. Bristol were matched with Worcester Valkyries at 3 pm and in the final match of the day Aylesford Bulls took on Wasps at 3.30 pm.

Although Harrogate did not hail victorious in their Junior Plate Final match against Windsor the grandeur of the day summed up what an achievement it was for the team to have acquired a final spot.

The match kicked off with Harrogate displaying an impressive chase into Windsor’s half of the pitch although the pressure was laid on thick it wasn’t long before Windsor’s Fly Half made a well-practised and well placed kick across the pitch which readily reached the winger who crossed the whitewash. With no conversion Windsor led by 5-0 5 minutes in.

Harrogate chased down their kick off with force once again and forced a knock on. With a noticeable size difference between the Windsor and Harrogate packs the Harrogate forwards approached the first scrum with apprehension. However, their strength shone through with them holding the opposition at bay ensuring the ball reached the hands of Scrum Half, Rose Jay who shipped it out to the backline.

Harrogate were camped in Windsor’s side of the pitch for the next 15 minutes with some surges in attack and some relentless defence. Though, 20 minutes in Windsor broke through the line taking advantage of their assets on the right in the form of a trio of speedy backs. Winger, Evie Jackson made the runners’ jobs harder by putting in a hard hitting tackle on the 22 metre line but she was outnumbered three to one and Windsor still managed to touch down for a second time. The whistle blew for half-time with Windsor leading by 10-0.

After the interval Harrogate dominated for the first 15 minutes. Their attack was solid and they were inches away from Windsor’s try line for a series of phased plays. It was at this point however that the ball was turned over and Windsor made a quick counter attack. The southerners managed to cross the whitewash for a third time despite a relentless chase from Winger, Sarah-Jayne Pritchard. The try was converted making the score 17-0 in Windsor’s favour.

Harrogate fought resiliently for the remaining half an hour and though they made some breaks in attack they were stopped short by the Windsor defence each time. Similarly, Harrogate defended defiantly displaying some try saving tackles and notable counter rucking. The full time score was 17-0 to Windsor despite Harrogate battling on until the whistle blew.

The 22 ladies who represented Harrogate in the final were: Nicki Dobra, Evie Jackson, Leah Birkin, Jessica Wild, Sarah-Jayne Pritchard, Evie Tonkin, Rose Jay, Josie Riggs, Maisie Barnett, Leanne Edmondson (Captain), Helena Landau, Debs Humphries, Lizzy Goddard-Taylor, Lauren Clarkson, Ellie Ward, Remennie Brooks, Sarah Kemp, Katy Cockshott, Gemma Stanish, April Morrisey, Emma Gentry and Chantelle Keller.

The team finish their season as runners up in a National competition sitting second in the league (Women’s NC North 2 East). It was not imaginable that a team who were struggling to field a team and finished second to last in the league last season would have got to this position in such a short space of time. Manager, Lucy Barnett and Head Coach, Rose Jay are the key figures in the team’s success and development this season. Just as vital is the player’s commitment to the team and the support of Harrogate Rugby club.