Harrogate Ladies II travel to Littleborough for their first ever league appearance

On Sunday, for the first time ever, after much development and many friendlies, Harrogate Ladies II had their first ever league match.

They took the journey down the M62 to play Littleborough. Although the end result of 29-50 was not quite the desired score, nor did it reflect Harrogate’s game as a whole, there was much to celebrate and take forward into the league fixtures.

For the first 10 minutes of the game Harrogate put up some strong displays in both defence and attack. However, it was their Littleborough who got lucky first with a string of tries. It was 19-0 to the hosts after the first quarter with it looking like no return for Harrogate.

However, Harrogate then settled into the game suddenly with a show of smart hands along the line and some clever play by scrum half, Freya Wilde. Wilde kicked over the top of the defence and allowed Captain, Sarah Jayne Pritchard to chase and touch down.

Littleborough retaliated though, with another try making it 24-5. Harrogate put the work in defensively, showing some impressive tackles but the opposition managed to slip through and score another.

With the half time whistle creeping ever closer there was just time for Centre, Caroline Cockshott to receive the ball on the wide right, take advantage of the overlap and score. The score at the interval was 10-29 to Littleborough.

After a solid team chat and a few replacements making their way on to the pitch, Harrogate were the dominant side when play resumed. It was Izzy Harris who crossed the whitewash next with support from Lauren Gant, Wilde and fullback Olivia Almond. Harris had increased her team’s points to 15.

Soon to follow was a try from Freya Wilde who kicked over the extras as well, Harrogate were slowly but surely catching the home side up, 22-29.

On a roll, the visitors put another past Littleborough when Almond took on a full pitch sprint with ease, finishing off with a dive over the line. Wilde again kicked over the extras to equalise the scores at 29-29, as the teams entered the last quarter.

Though one of Littleborough’s forwards was sent off for a high tackle, Harrogate were unable to take advantage of the overlap as the home outfit fought to make up for the absence. When the opposition player returned from the sinbin they were more united than ever, and Harrogate struggled to keep up with their new found pace.

Littleborough managed to put three more converted tries passed Harrogate in speedy succession of one another ensuring the gap the visitors had just bridged on the score board was extended once again.

The full-time whistle blew with a final score of 29-50.

Player of the match performances were awarded to Sammie Wilcox, Freya Wilde and Olivia Almond. This Sunday Harrogate Ladies II will play their first league game at home. All spectators welcome to the Stratstone stadium on Sunday (for a 2:30pm kick off) as the Ladies II take on Oldham and the Ladies first XV take on Championship North 1 leaders, Lichfield – a day of rugby not to be missed!