H&D Owls 17-10 Woodbridge Amazons

Harwich Owls took to the field in their last league game of the season against third in the table Woodbridge in what was a thoroughly entertaining afternoons rugby. The game started with a minutes silence for former Owls player Sam Hykell who tragically passed away recently and this game was dedicated to her memory. Although the Owls started with intent and endeavour they soon found themselves pinned down inside their 22m line and multiple penalties gave Woodbridge all the incentive they needed when on a quick tap and go from 5m out Toni Bell drove over The Owls try line with the help of a colleague to give Woodbridge a 0-5 lead after a missed conversion. This seemed to ignite Harwich and a sustained period of play inside the Woodbridge half resulted in a home team score, The Owls were awarded a scrum 10m out from the opposition line, Harwich captain Sophia Tricker picked up from the back of the scrum and powered through a couple of tackles to touch down to level the score, Tricker also kicked the conversion and made it, The Owls hit the front 7-5. Woodbridge retook the lead when a series of good tackles and handling errors saw the home side going backwards and from a quick tap and go penalty fly half Claire Brickley managed to score under the posts, the conversion was missed giving the visitors a 7-10 lead. With the half time break approaching Harwich went on the attack, the forwards who thought they were backs and the backs who were made up of forwards on the day made a series of scintillating off loads and quick passes which found the visitors wanting, it was great running rugby and the big crowd were really getting into the fight, Harwich captain Sophia Tricker who was inspired on the day finished off the move to score, the conversion was missed but at the half The Owls lead 12-10.

After the break a sustained period of too-ing and fro-ing made for some of the best rugby at Harwich this year, storming runs from inspired forward turned back Lucy Williams and props Tasha Bray and Di Wood had the visitors on the back foot, eventually after being camped on the 5m line Woodbridge were awarded a free kick, from the resultant clearance Chelsea Shand returned the ball deep into the Woodbridge 22m line and series of quick passes between Sophia Tricker and Mimi Montgomery saw Sian Smith break free to score, a missed conversion meant The Owls were up 17-10. The rest of the game saw a real midfield battle until the play of the day saved Harwich, with great go forward ball and quick passes The Owls were pressing to score and as the ball was moved wide a Woodbridge player intercepted the ball to head off towards The Owls try line, Owls fullback Chelsea Shand sprinted three quarters of the field to tap tackle the opposition player who knocked on as she hit the turf and Harwich were awarded the scrum which allowed them to clear their lines.

This was indeed a fantastic game for all the spectators to watch and now Harwich must wait to see if their year long rivals Bury can overtake them on points to win the division. A big thank you to all of our Owl family for all your support over this season.