Harwich & Dovercourt Owls 61 Peterborough 0

They immediately had the visitors under pressure with the forwards tackling ferociously and turning over ball at the breakdowns. Excellent handling from the backs and a great running line from winger Sybil Taunton saw her sprint in from 30 metres out to score under the post.

The home side kept up the pressure and soon, following another good move by the backs, Kimberley Hutchins scored a well worked try.
Peterborough showed some great resistance and with a trio of powerful running forwards soon tested the Harwich defence. Some crunching tackles from Mimi Montgomery, Abi Cutts and Laura Hudson stopped them in their tracks and the running and handling of the Harwich backs soon saw the home side add to their tally. The ball was moved through the backs and Yas Amber, playing her first game of the season after a long term injury, hit a great line to score.

The Owls’ defence kept Peterborough under pressure in their own 22. An attempted clearance kick was successfully charged down by the relatively diminutive Bronwyn Skipworth and from the resulting scrum Hutchins went over for another try. Strong running by forwards Beth Lemessurier, Nicola Kington and Naomi Dobner was beginning to take its toll on the Peterborough pack who were constantly having to tackle these powerful runners. As the visitors began to tire Taunton and Hutchins capitalised to score two more tries leaving the halftime score at 40 - 0 to the Owls.

To their credit, peterborough began the second half with great spirit but again the ferocious defence of the owls stopped them in their tracks. As indiscipline crept into the Harwich game, a series of penalties saw the visitors camped in the home 22 for almost ten minutes but were unable to find a way through home team’s defensive line. The Owls were soon back in ascendancy and Hutchins broke free from the halfway line to sore. With Hudson winning the majority of line out ball and the harwich scrum disrupting the visitors set piece, Peterborough were seeing less of the ball except when it was in an Owl’s hands. Amber scored another trademark try evading three tacklers to touch down and with the last move of the match Hutchins crossed the line for her fifth try of the match.

This was another excellent performance by the Harwich team. The visitors struggled to cope with the quick passing and off-loads of the Owls as forwards and backs combined really well to keep the opposition constantly under pressure.
Harwich travel to Leighton Buzzard this Sunday looking to maintain this form.