Harrogate back on their winning streak with a 62-0 success over visiting Sheffield

This was the first meeting of the two Yorkshire teams since a pre season friendly in August 2018 before Harrogate’s entrance into Championship North 1.

It was a slippery start at the Stratstone stadium for both teams, with the wet and muddy conditions causing issues both in terms of handling and ball carrying.

The first quarter saw both teams offer away penalties and a series of scrums, of which Harrogate were dominating.

Although Sheffield found themselves camped on the home outfit’s try line for some time, Harrogate’s defence was impenetrable and they managed to clear the ball and make headway up the pitch.

It wasn’t long before it was a Harrogate scrum on the half way line followed by trademark link up between Freya Wilde, Rose Jay and Sarah Foster.

After being fed the ball from the scrum, Foster broke through the centre before being taken down. The forwards took it from there, with the back row of Lauren Clarkson, Amy Battel and Nieve Jones being heavily involved. It was second row, Charlotte Warriner who ran the ball over the line though. Harrogate 5-0.

Prop, Chrissie Pratt made a hell of a run through the defence before Harrogate lost the ball but turned over yet another scrum.

After that Harrogate couldn’t be stopped, with a stream of tries flying in. Anna Hamilton crossed next, on the end of a loop pass from Foster. 10-0.

Lauren Bolger was next up, running the line after another penalty win for the home side bringing it up to 15-0.

Maisie Barnett added to the tally with a powerful forward run over the line, and Amy Battel joined in stepping her way past her old team mates to touch down straight after.

Bolger added the conversions and Foster added another try and it was 41-0 just after the second half had begun.

Emily Rushton scored the next after she stepped on the gas and scored from the wing. Again Bolger kicked over the extras to bring the score up to 48-0.

Amber Barnicoat went over next with a trademark run and hand off combination. Foster followed suite, adding another for her team. Bolger converted them both with a final score of 62-0.

Harrogate take on Sheffield again next week, in a postponed match from earlier in the season. Following this, Harrogate have more big games ahead with both Barnsley and West Park in the schedule before Christmas. Both of which could be determining matches for the Harrogate side.