Match report Harrogate v Sefton

Harrogate v Sefton
36 - 19

Harrogate Ladies first home game off this League Campaign with a victory over Sefton, with a final score of 36-19 in a game that was closer than the scoreline would suggest.

The match started off strong with Harrogate playing deep in the Sefton Half but strong aggressive defence from Sefton and Harrogate getting isolated and penalised at the breakdown kept the scoreline at 0-0. It took 15 minutes for Harrogate to break through and have some point to show for this pressure with Savannah Leroux breaking through the defence to open the scoring. With the conversion missed Harrogate took a 5-0 lead.

Sefton however rallied from this and started to apply their own pressure making ground, this was converted into points a few minutes later with Carbon going over near the sticks, with a successful conversion by Fitzsimmons putting Sefton ahead 5-7.

Harrogate bounced back quickly with a storming run via Capt Adoaha Akwiwu securing a try for Harrogate. With the successful conversion from Emily Attwood putting Harrogate 12-7 in front. With just 12 minutes of the 1st half remaining, Sefton kept battling and were good in support at the breakdown putting Harrogate under pressure turning over ball or capitalising on Harrogate getting isolated. Their endeavours were rewarded a few minutes later with them spreading the ball wide and the winger Prosic going over in the corner. With the conversion missed the sides were level at 12-12, with it staying like this until the break.

After the break Harrogate started strong with two quick tries from Domitille Channel both converted by Emily Attwood put Harrogate into a 26-12 lead with still 30 minutes to play. Sefton though were in no mood to give up, and at the 52 minute mark Fitzsimmons, scored and then converted her own try pulling the scores back to 26-19.

Sefton then had the ascendancy in the match and had the bit between their teeth, putting pressure on the Harrogate try line for 15 - 20 minutes. The Harrogate defence though was resolute and with Sefton starting to tire Georgia Briggs broke through to score under the posts with just 5 minutes to play. The successful conversion by Attwood putting Harrogate 31-19.

Then with the clock on 78 minutes Attwood then broke through on the half way line to her surprise and despite desperately looking for support made it to the try line in the far corner. The conversion attempt from Jaydn Plummer was not successful and with that the final whilst went.

A hard fought contest seeing the final score 36-19.

Harrogate Ladies will next play on Sunday 22nd at home against Sheffield.