Harrogate II displayed a dominant defence to secure a 14-5 victory over visitors Workington Zebra Finches.

Harrogate II displayed a dominant defence to secure a 14-5 victory over visitors Workington Zebra Finches.

The hosts demonstrated a fiery attack from kick off with speed in the back line and unstoppable offloading through Izzy Harris, Clarissa Murphy and Caroline Cockshott setting Chloe Brocklebank away and under the posts for an early 7-0 lead, conversion from Celine Almond.

As the momentum continued to build, Harrogate showed their discipline, taking advantage of the visitors conceding penalties.

The hosts were forced to make some early changes in the back line, with Almond and Melina Irawo suffering injuries, but with pace and confidence sat on bench the hosts were not left unsettled.

Harrogate continued to penetrate the Workington defence with line breaks from Rachel Demoraes, Cockshott and Eleanor Crummey.

Heading into the second half, and with an uncontested scrum pressure began to ease on Harris at scrum half creating some great attacking shape at set play for the hosts.

Despite a number of rolling mauls from the visitors, Harrogate maintained their pressure in defence keeping Workington playing the phases.

After a few hard working pods from the Harrogate forwards, the hosts were able to run the ball through with speed once again with Brocklebank stepping the Workington full back to run in from the half way line and lead the hosts 14-0.

Harrogate showed their worth once again as a defensive outfit as they kept the visitors off the try line until the 76th minute of the game where they conceded their only five points of the game.

Players of the match were; Forward of Match Katie Cordelia, Back of the Match Chloe Brocklebank and Oppositions Player of the Match Kirstie Plummer.

Next up in league action sees Harrogate Ladies II host rivals West Park Leeds II on Saturday.