From the kick off Harwich showed their intention of playing the game at a high pace and keep the visitors on the back foot. Strong running and recycling by the Harwich forwards created a good platform for the home side’s dangerous backs to make some dangerous breaks through the visiting defence only to find the Lakenham fullback in top form. The pressure eventually paid off for the Owls when centre Lucie Gibson scored following a good handling move near the line. Mimi Montgomery made a powerful break from her own half and with the fullback to beat, offloaded to skipper Sophia Tricker whose supporting run put her through under the posts to score.

Harwich had the visitors under pressure in both scrums and lineouts limiting any quality ball possession for the visitors and when they did develop any attacking platform the Harwich defence limited any scoring chances. With Montgomery and Annalise Allan adding tries before halftime the Owls went into the break 22 - 0 in the lead.

The second half was almost a repeat of the first half. The Harwich pack kept forcing the visitors to retreat with their strong running and recycling and the backs kept making excellent breaks only to be stopped by the brilliant tackling of the visiting full back.

The Harwich back row, in particular flanker Sian Fahie, were breaking up any attempts of attacking play from Lakenham and solid tackling from the rest of the team stopped any advance.

Harwich scored a further four tries in this half. Two of them came through the dancing feet of Gibson who waltzed past several defenders on both occasions with footwork that would have excited the ‘Strictly’ judges! The other two tries were scored by Montgomery whose combination of pace and power was too hot for the visiting defence to handle.

With Allan converting four of the tries Harwich ran out deserved winners 48 -0. This was a good overall team performance. Playing some very attractive rugby, the Owls kept their supporters entertained throughout. The forwards worked exceptionally hard and linked well with the backs who demonstrated some great running and handling skills.

All of this and more will be needed this weekend when The Owls face second placed Tabard at Low Road. Kickoff is at 2pm.

Report by Walter Blacker