Harrogate Ladies 1st XV
Matches
Sun 08 Sep 2019  ·  Women's Championship North 1
Loughborough Town Ladies
0
74
Harrogate RUFC
Harrogate Ladies 1st XV
Harrogate Ladies secure an early and dominant start in the Championship, after a 74-0 victory over hosts Loughborough Town.

Harrogate Ladies secure an early and dominant start in the Championship, after a 74-0 victory over hosts Loughborough Town.

Helena Landau12 Sep 2019 - 07:36
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https://www.harrogaterugby.com

The winning streak of last season carries over into the new league

10th September 2019,
written by: Clarissa Murphy & Helena Landau

With an unbeaten league run last season and playoff success the local Ladies team gained promotion into the second tier of Women’s rugby in the Country, Championship North 1. Following a long pre-season and the addition of some new faces the team were all set to prove their place in their new found league, and they did just that with a relentless 74-0 victory in Loughborough.

It took eight short minutes for Harrogate to make the first of many crosses over the whitewash, with debutant prop, Laura French claiming the first five points as she crashed over the line. This lead was extended by fullback, Lauren Bolger to lead 7-0.

The visitors were not short of strings to their bow, displaying dominance over the home side in the scrum, winning the ball at the lineout and breaking through the defensive line in succession.

Soon, Captain Rose Jay and Bolger were back to their old ways as they used their speed and footwork to take the lead to 19-0. Then Centre, Alex Wallace added an impressive individual try to the mix, which she took from 80 meters out.

Harrogate continued to keep the ball alive, offloading through their speed and creating great attacking shape off their strong and dominant forward pack.

Linking up in the back line, Sarah Foster and Nieve Jones set Wallace up for a second converted try. Bolger and winger, Emily Rushton (upon her return from injury) also crossed over to see their team set for a comfortable 52-0 lead at the break.

Heading back out on to the field, Harrogate continued to show their compelling strengths as they stole Loughborough’s ball at the line out then set Jones off up the pitch with support from debutant, Rianna Manson who finished off by touching down over the line.

Before the final whistle second row Annie Lyles, prop Amber Barnicoat and Wallace extended Harrogate’s lead, putting another 17 points away. This ensured an outstanding debut in tier two rugby for Harrogate Ladies.

Player of the match performances were awarded to Flanker Amy Battel, Rose Jay and Sarah Foster. Harrogate host top place team, Lichfield at the Stratstone Stadium on Sunday. This promises to be a top class and well matched game of rugby following Lichfield’s 82-0 victory over Sheffield last weekend. All spectator’s welcome for a 2:30 pm kick off.

Sunday also sees Harrogate Ladies II’s first league appearance at home and subsequently the first time the club has produced two full squads on in league appearances.

Match details

Match date

Sun 08 Sep 2019

Kickoff

14:30

Competition

Women's Championship North 1

League position

2
Harrogate Ladies
7
Loughborough Town Ladies
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Main - Apollo Capital Group Ltd
Main - Emsley Crane Hire