Lakenham Hewett 07 - 46 H&D Owls

Harwich and Dovercourt Owls travelled to Norwich for their first game in three weeks. The Owls started the match strongly, attacking the home team from the kickoff but the rustiness from the enforced layoff was evidenced by several handling errors and indiscipline at the breakdown limiting any scoring opportunities.

Harwich started to put their game together and only some superb tackling by the Lakenham full back prevented any scoring until the Harwich No. 8, Mimi Montgomery, hit a great running line and brushed off a couple of attempted tackles to run in for the first try of the game.

Fly half Annalise Allan was now controlling the game releasing the dangerous Harwich backs and feeding the ball to their powerful running forwards. This kept the home side under pressure and it was not long before centre Lucie Gibson weaved her way past through the home defence to score under the posts to give Allan an easy conversion.

Harwich then scored a contender for try of the season. A powerful break by prop Di Woods in her own 22 saw her feed the ball to Naomi Dobner who also made good ground before offloading the ball out of the tackle to Yas Amber. Some wonderful inter-passing between Amber and Gibson eventually sent Amber clear to score.

The second half saw Harwich continue to dominate possession and territorial advantage. The makeshift front row of Emma Simons, Louise Willcott and Di Woods were performing stoically against a powerful Lakenham scrum and the pack were controlling the breakdowns. When the side did try to make advances they were met by a solid defensive wall and powerful tackling.
Harwich were now moving the ball well and tries started to come at regular intervals. Montgomery, Kristin Kvalvik and Sophia Tricker all finished off some great teamwork to add to the score before flanker Sian Fahie scored a great individual try showing strength and pace to score. The Owls lost Allan to injury and whilst defending their try line also lost the influential Fahie to the sin bin after a series of penalties awarded against the Owls. Lakenham took advantage and crashed over under the posts for a try.

Harwich were not quite finished. Again, good teamwork saw them advance up the pitch and Montgomery crossed the line after running a terrific straight line through the defence. Amber scored with the conversion to give the Owls a comprehensive victory.
Once they were able to get rid of the cobwebs, the Owls’ teamwork was excellent and the match offered good preparation for their next game.

This Sunday sees the Owls facing league champions and so far unbeaten Wymondham Wasps at Low Road. The match earlier in the season was a close fought affair and the Owls will be looking to avenge that narrow defeat. Kick off is at 2pm.