In preparation for a Six Nations special to be aired on Wednesday 11th February, Liz spent the week training with England’s Richard Hill and Kieran Bracken, and with the Harlequin Ladies before joining them for Sunday’s game.

The friendly tournament kicked off with Rosslyn Park beating Hove in a hard-fought game. With Park’s strong rucking and mauling, setting up a good platform for their backs, Centre, Claire Bowen, was able to break through for her two trys. Hove challenged well in the scrums, but were unable to get past Park’s organised defence in open play. The final try came from winger, Kate Francis, also playing her first ever game of rugby.

Hove then suffered a second defeat at the hands of the Harlequin Ladies. Quins played a patient game, working their way up the pitch with some very good phases of play and strong support running. Their first try came when Claire Melvin, at second row, took the ball from the back of a maul and popped off to inside-centre, Katy Strudwick, to finish.

Hove retaliated with a strong counter-attack, forcing Quins onto the backfoot inside their own twenty-two. From here, Hove were able to run around Harlequin’s drift defence and score out on the wing. Quins fought back hard, making the most of the penalties awarded against Hove at the breakdowns. Their second try came after Blue Peter’s Liz, took the ball on well, before passing back inside to fly-half, Danni Knight. Danni’s run then scattered the Hove defence, allowing Jo Everett, at hooker, to attack the pocket behind the ruck and run in the second try.

Again Hove fought back well, kicking themselves into a better position on the pitch, but this time the Quins defensive line kept them from crossing the line. Once they had possession, Quins headed back down the pitch into Hove’s half. Harlequins then capitalised on a penalty lineout, with a catch and drive increasing the pressure on Hove. Prop, Chevonne Rennison, carried the ball right up to the line. Jo Everett then picked the ball up from the back of the ruck and touched down her second try.

In the final game, Quins faced Rosslyn Park in another tough game. Park’s dominance in the scrums made it very difficult for Harlequins to get clean ball from set pieces but Quins worked hard at the breakdowns to recycle the ball quickly. When Harlequins were awarded a penalty in Park’s twenty-two, captain, Vicky Gallagher, carried the ball forward, drawing in the defence. Winger, Lara Dudley, received Gallagher’s pass out of the tackle and ran wide to score.

Park continued to disrupt Harlequin’s scrums, but with their close support play, Quins were able to maintain good possession and put Rosslyn Park under increasing pressure. The final try came from a strong run by Saskia Brazier-Kobus at outside-centre, to finish off a very successful afternoon for Quins Ladies.

Want to Play Rugby for Harlequins?

Harlequin Ladies are always on the lookout for new players. Whether an old-hand or a complete novice, we look forward to hearing from you. The Harlequin Ladies train on Wednesday and Friday nights from 7.30pm to 9pm on the training pitch behind the 1st XV pitch at The Stoop and matches are played on Sunday. For younger players, the U16 and U18 Academy Squads train on Friday nights from 6.30pm till 7.30pm at the same venue.


Want to Get More Involved?

We are also on the lookout for new sponsors to continue our season and can offer your company or brand various sponsorship opportunities from Match to total Club Sponsor packages. For more information, please contact Kate Sinfield – Sponsorship & Fundraising Secretary at quinsladies@hotmail.com.

Come and Meet Us

The Ladies have a display board at every home game, so do come up and say hello. For further press opportunities or more information about the Harlequin Ladies, please contact Jo Everett – Press and PR Secretary at quinsladies@hotmail.com.

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