The match began with the home team on the receiving end of the kick off. Although Scrum half, Leah Birkin was quick on the attack it was obvious from the first tackle that the match was not going to be a walk in the park for Harrogate who had hammered their opposition in an 88-0 victory when they last met. The visitors proved an immediate challenge in defence and before Harrogate knew it they had been pushed backwards by West Park.

Harrogate protected the ball and prioritised possession, they played the phases until the time was right for centre, Evie Jackson to make a break, securing the ball back into West Park’s half. Number 8, Gemma Stanish followed suit smashing through the defence. When her team had opened sufficient space, Birkin shifted the ball to the right, initiating some quick passes across the back line.

When the ball arrived in the hands of fullback, Ailish Clear she was sure to make a break before making a well-placed kick. West Park were temporarily on the attack but Clear’s chase was enough to pressurise them into losing possession, creating a turnover. Play was looking even for both sides with Harrogate back on the defensive. A penalty was taken by Stanish on behalf of the home side who stormed through the defence for a second time making great ground.

A series of intense scrums followed and Jackson made a strong tackle forcing the visitors to knock on. A feisty forward pick up off the scrum left the ball with Clear who made a clean break through the defence before popping the ball to centre, Caroline Cockshott who touched down just right of the sticks. Cockshott’s try was converted by Clear who kicked off the scoreboard for Harrogate at 7-0.

Upon the restart hooker, Brooks received the ball and was straight up on the attack; A series of plays by the forwards followed. West Park regained possession and made a brilliant break, displaying imposing passes. A tackle from Birkin temporarily stopped West Park’s advance and though it was followed by some solid defence, Harrogate were soon back on their try line after a penalty was awarded to their opposition.

A seriously strong Harrogate scrum won back the ball with Birkin transferring it quickly to fly half, Jess Wild. It was Jackson who then made the pass to Clear assisting her to dodge the first line of West Park’s defence and out run the rest. Clear scored between the sticks and added the extra 2 points to bring the score to 14-0.

At the restart, Harrogate dominated at first with strong runs from forwards, Ellie Ward and Maisie Barnett but West Park were awarded a line out after a tackle into touch at the 22. They managed to make an advance at this point with clever passing between their numbers 8 and 15.

After a West Park error Morrisey made sure the ball went backwards and was collected by Birkin who made a defence defying run before assisting Clear to score her second try of the day, Harrogate were out in the lead at 19-0. With the interval in sight Barnett was right back on the attack with her fellow forwards, Ward and Kemp. The threesome worked together to make ground and drive the West Park defence back, holding them off in time for the half time whistle to blow.

With the start of the second half the home side showed they were still raring to go, applying pressure immediately and forcing an instant West Park knock on. Prop, Josie Riggs made a pick and go off the scrum making ground further into the visitors’ half.
Birkin and fly half, Jess Wild worked together to move the ball in the right direction allowing Jackson to move forwards with support from Clear and winger, Sarah Jayne Pritchard. The trio threatened another try before Pritchard was tackled into touch.

A ball winning tackle was made by Ward off the West Park line out moving the attack towards West Park’s try line once again. Wild found flanker, Lauren Clarkson who continued the attack before prop, Leanne Edmondson drove forwards. A lack of support enabled West Park to turnover and make a break for it but their attack was thwarted by Riggs who made consecutive tackles, turned over the ball and relaunched Harrogate’s attack.

Harrogate were dominating the play with Birkin and Wild calling the shots. The ball made its way back to Clear who confused the defence by changing direction giving Jackson and Pritchard time to join her. Jackson broke through and made a precise pass to Pritchard who touched down on the far left to make it 24-0.

With full time in sight both sides kept up the fight with West Park pushing up on the defence. Harrogate regained the ball in their own half and Clear reacted with a kick which was run down and reached by Pritchard. Though Pritchard was taken down Clear was close behind, picking up and moving the ball right where it was taken forwards by flanker, Alexie Neville in her debut match.

West Park denied the home side to breach their defence offering a tough tackle from their number 8. Birkin moved the ball back inside at the ruck where it was taken forward by Brooks who drove through her tacklers closing the gap between her team and the try line. This forward drive instigated the final try of the match which was made by Ward after a solid forward push over the line. Ward’s try was converted by Clear to finalise the score at 31-0.

Harrogate Ladies are set to play Scunthorpe away in the Plate competition on Sunday 5th February where they hope to extend their winning streak.