Wymondham Wasps 10 - 08 H&D Owls

Facing the unbeaten league leaders was never going to be an easy task for the Owls but they made the journey in the belief that they could cause an upset.

The match started with Wymondham showing why they are league leaders. Aggressive forward play and strong running from their back line put the Harwich side on the defensive for first quarter but a determined effort by the visitors stopped the home side from scoring. Harwich gradually began to develop their attacking game and were unlucky on a couple of occasions not to have scored. Centre Lucie Gibson made a terrific break from just inside her own half with Annalise Allan in support but Allan was tackled before receiving the ball with a clear run at the try line.

The Harwich forwards were holding their own in the set piece and competing well in the breakdown. Mimi Montgomery’s strong running was causing problems to Wymondham’s defence. One such run from the halfway line saw her brush off three tackles until she was stopped a metre from the try line with a tackle that almost decapitated her. The good line speed of the Harwich defence was putting so much pressure on the home side’s attack that they were struggling to put their passing game together. When they did they were met with some defiant Harwich tackling, in particular from Yas Amber who was once again proving to be a superb last line of defence. Just before halftime, Allan made a break and chip kicked the Wasps’ fullback who blocked Allan’s path to the ball. Allan kicked the resulting penalty to give Harwich a halftime lead of 0 -3.

The second half saw the game ebb and flow with neither team able to stamp their authority on the match. The Wasps were pushing hard for a try and nearly achieved it when their impressive number 8 crossed the line but the try was disallowed for a double movement. However shortly after this, she found a small gap in the Harwich defence and crashed over from 5 metres out to score.
The Owls went straight back onto the attack. Allan, Montgomery and winger Sierra Brown made great breaks only to be stopped just short of the line. Then scrum half made a powerful break but was tackled just short of the line. Harwich finally scored a try when quick handling from a ruck close to the home line saw Gibson score in the corner.

Wymondham came straight back and put Harwich under pressure, Only a superb tackle from Amber prevented the Wasps’ full back from scoring but with only five minutes left their number 8 charged over for her second try.

Harwich pressured for closing minutes with Allan and Hutchins going close but were unable to find the winning score.
This was an immensely physical game and the Harwich side more than matched Wymondham in most facets of the game. Indiscipline at key moments of the match cost the Owls dearly but also, with a bit of luck on their side, they could have taken the leader’s unbeaten record.