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The visitors started well and raced into a 12 point lead with two break away tries and a conversion. Southwold were however dominating possession through their awesome pack. Sarah Doddington made her full return and ruled the set scrum with a new front row of veteran Karen Fletcher and new sensation Elissa Cox. Locks Michaela Scarle and Bev White worked their socks off in the set and loose and Sharon Larter was belligerent at No.8. For all their r possession Southwold just couldn't score as Sarah, Michaela, Elissa and Sharon all got within inches and indeed backs Tracey Meen, Nina Roe and Amy all had chances as well. The second half was a different story. Roared on by a vociferous if damp crowd, the Swallows pack gave Harlow a lesson in recycling as England like they controlled the ball. Sharon made a break off the back, progressed with an explosive hand off and a ruck and a maul later Bev White was over for a try. Scrum half Shelley Harlow now whipped the forwards into a frenzy of activity and when the ball was driven over the line it was Sarah last to emerge to claim the try and Amy added the conversion to make it 12 all. Ten minutes to go disaster struck when the Harlow centre went the length of the pitch and Harlow were back in front. However to their credit Southwold stuck to their guns giving every last ounce of effort as they rucked and mauled their way to the Harlow line and it was Bev who emerged to score her second. If either the conversion or the penalty they had in the dying minutes of the match had gone over the victory would have been no more than Southwold Swallows deserved. Prestige Player of the Match: Debutante Elissa Cox |