Harrogate Ladies make a spectacular start to the season with a solid win over Derby Vipers.

Sunday welcomed the start of the new rugby season for Harrogate Ladies as they took on Derby Vipers at Rudding Lane.
With the Derby side finishing top of their league, following an unbeaten run last season the pressure was on the home side to make their mark upon their entrance into a new league (Women’s National Challenge North East 1).

Harrogate conceded a knock on at the kick off and were thrown into a tough Derby scrum within the first minute. With a strong forward pack Derby demanded the home side to work hard in the scrum from the onset. However, after managing to hold Derby’s efforts to drive the home defence managed to keep the attacking side’s advance at bay. Once Harrogate had gained and maintained possession they pushed forward into Derby’s half of the pitch. There was some strong phased play by the forwards but the visiting outfit managed to hold up Harrogate’s first attempt to score.

Following a successful steal at the lineout Harrogate were back on the attack. The forwards made ground but were again pushed backwards by Derby’s defence close to the try line. The ball was shipped out wide with Centre, Evie Jackson dodging the defence before setting up Sarah Jayne Pritchard on the right wing to score the home outfit’s first try 20 minutes in.

It wasn’t long before Derby made it level pegging, scoring their first try 5 minutes later. However, Harrogate had really settled into the match after taking the lead and were determined to fight back fast. Before long a second score materialised as Jackson crossed the whitewash to make it 10-5 just before half-time.

Upon the restart Harrogate instantly forced their opposition to knock on, this was followed by a strong scrum which allowed the backs to accelerate towards the try line. The ball found its way back to the forwards and crossed the line in the hands of Hooker, Maisie Barnett to make it 17-5 to the home side. Barnett’s try was converted by Full Back Ailish Clear.

Though Harrogate managed to turnover a scrum Derby’s defence challenged the home side allowing the visitors to score their second try after an impressive interception made by their winger, the conversion followed making the score 17-12. Keen to keep a strong lead, Harrogate reacted quickly to the restart with Winger, Emily Rushton scoring in her debut league game for the team two minutes later. Again, Clear kicked over the extra 2 points to bring it to 24-12.

The last quarter of the match saw Derby give Harrogate a tough battle in both defence and attack but Scrum Half, Leah Birkin saw the gap and took her chance. Although Derby defenders were hot on her tail, they couldn’t catch Birkin who sprinted over the line, Clear then converted her third try of the match leaving Derby little chance to catch the home side up.

However, Derby were adamant they would battle on until the end and their relentless attack ensured they made their mark with a try in the last 10 minutes. No conversion followed which brought the final score to 31-17.

Hopefully this will be the start of a winning streak for Harrogate Ladies whose next league came is on Sunday 24th September when they will play Ashfield away.