In cold conditions that contributed to a number of handling errors, both sides delivered a fiercely competitive contest full of strong tackling, aggressive defence and moments of outstanding attacking play.

First Half

Harborough kicked off the final but it was Lutterworth who were awarded a series of early penalties, putting the home side under immediate pressure. Harborough responded with strong, combative tackling to keep their visitors at bay.

The first scrum of the game, deep in Lutterworth territory, was won convincingly by the Harborough pack, setting the tone for a dominant performance in the set piece. A powerful run down the wing by Martha gained valuable territory, and although Lutterworth moved the ball well when escaping their half, Harborough maintained consistent pressure.

After Lutterworth briefly relieved the pressure with a penalty kick to touch, Harborough struck first. Strong carries from Grace and Kayleigh drove play forward before excellent work from the Harborough forwards created the platform for Kayleigh to crash over for the opening try. The conversion was missed, leaving Harborough leading 5–0.

Lutterworth soon responded with a sustained spell of possession in the Harborough half. After a knock-on and subsequent scrum, Harborough were unable to clear their lines effectively and Lutterworth capitalised quickly, picking up the loose ball and running in a try which was successfully converted to take the lead 5–7.

The remainder of the half saw both sides moving the ball well, with Lutterworth linking passes neatly while Harborough looked to break out of their half through strong carries. Several scrums and set pieces followed as both teams struggled at times with handling in the cold conditions.

Belle produced a good break for Harborough, but a penalty around halfway allowed Lutterworth to kick deep and maintain pressure. The half finished with both sides tackling fiercely and contesting every breakdown, with Lutterworth narrowly ahead 7–5 at the break.

Second Half

Lutterworth kicked off the second half and quickly applied pressure in the Harborough 22. Their fly-half spotted a gap and cut a sharp line through the defence to score near the posts, adding the conversion to extend the lead to 14–5.

A period of end-to-end rugby followed as both teams traded territory. Lutterworth came close to adding another score with a powerful carry near the line, but a penalty allowed Harborough to clear through a well-judged kick from Taya.

Harborough began to build momentum through strong running from Belle, which set up a break down the left wing by Kayleigh. Although Lutterworth recovered possession and cleared, the pressure soon returned. After a not-straight lineout gifted Harborough a scrum, the home pack drove forward once again and earned a penalty inside the 22. Belle kicked to touch just six metres out.

Although Lutterworth initially stole the lineout and attempted to clear, another penalty gave Harborough the opportunity they needed. From close range Kayleigh powered over for her second try, with Belle adding the conversion to narrow the score to 14–12.

The intensity of the contest continued, with all the forwards including Phoebe, Aaliyah, Emily, Jem, Vicky, Tilly, Isla, Abby, Isi all, Alice and both Lilly’s making continued strong tackles and several impressive breaks as Harborough worked through multiple strong phases. Lutterworth managed to relieve the pressure with a long clearing kick, pushing play back into the Harborough half.

One of the moments of the match followed when Kayleigh produced an electric break, racing almost the entire length of the field before being dragged down just short of the try line. Although Harborough initially knocked on, the forwards responded brilliantly at the resulting Lutterworth scrum. Winning the ball against the head, Alice picked and drove over the line for a crucial try, converted by Belle to give Harborough the lead 19–14.

Harborough’s confidence was now growing. From a penalty, Belle tapped quickly and popped a pass to Isi, who powered through the Lutterworth defence with a tremendous carry. Soon after, from a Harborough scrum, Taya swept around the blindside and broke strongly before releasing Kayleigh, who came close to scoring in the corner. From the next phase Isi thundered over for another try, this time converted by Lucy to stretch the lead to 26–14.

Lutterworth refused to give up and finished the match with a determined late try, which was converted to bring the final score to 26–21.

Full Time

In a thrilling County Cup Final played at a high intensity throughout, Harborough showed resilience, forward dominance and clinical finishing to edge a superb contest against a very strong Lutterworth side.

Both teams played their part in an outstanding advert for girls’ rugby in Leicestershire, but on the night it was Harborough who lifted the County Cup after a hard-fought 26–21 victory.

Photographs courtesy of Nick Freeman p
Photography