Houghton U18 Girls v Hartlepool Rovers

The Houghton girls started their National Cup campaign this week, travelling to Hartlepool Rovers with the hosts having a strong core of players including a number of Durham County representatives.

The game started quickly but unfortunately the Houghton girls didn't as within 48 secs Hartlepool Rovers from their own 22 went down the pitch to score the first try of the game. Houghton 0 - 5 Hartlepool Rovers

This was the reality check the Houghton girls needed as from the kick off the girls started to play. Houghton pressured from the kick off and forced the turn over. Houghton then attacked down the left with strong runs from Summer O'Brien and Jen Loftus. The Houghton forwards, who's pod work and structure was superb all game, recycled the ball quickly and No.8 Kirstie Gill powered over from 15 metres to level the score. Houghton 5 - 5 Hartlepool Rovers

Houghton continued to dominate territory and pressure the Hartlepool defences. On 14 minutes, following a turnover in centre field, Houghton attacked again down the right with through excellent carries from the Houghton forwards created quick ball for scrum half Lauren Hirst, whos service was excellent all game, released the Houghton backs with Summer O'Brien breaking the Hartlepool defensive line and scoring in the corner. Houghton 10 - 5 Hartlepool Rovers

For the rest of the half, the game became a real tussle with the Hartlepool pack and ill discipline by Houghton at the breakdown allowing Hartlepool back into the game. The Houghton lines were starting to be stretched but a superb defensive effort including probably one of the best cover tackles you will see all season with Meg Riley and Anna Barnes making a superb scramble defensive tackle and managing to hold Hartlepool up over the Houghton line to stop a clear try.

As the half developed the Houghton pack started to control of the game again. Superb carries from Kirstie Gill and Olivia Wright combined with the excellent pod work led by Ellie Stothard and captain Charlie Purvis allowed Houghton to control territory and where now camped in the Hartlepool half. On 29 minutes,the Houghton carries had drawn in the Hartlepool defence with fly half Georgia Massey then identifying space down the right hand side, running a superb line that cut through the Hartlepool defences and then out pacing the covering defenders to score in the corner. Houghton 15 - 5 Hartlepool Rovers.

The half time whistle came too soon for Houghton who continued to press and dominate with the Houghton back line starting to flow with superb breaks from Lauren Harvey ,Summer O'Brien and Loren February which were only thwarted by some superb cover defence from Hartlepool.

Half time Houghton 15 - 5 Hartlepool Rovers

The second half continued as the first finished, following an initial surge from Hartlepool, Houghtons structured play continued to dominate. On 37 minutes, following multiple attacks through centre field, front row Alessia Skeates powered through the Hartlepool defence and broke down the right. She then off loaded to No 8 Kirstie Gill, who was superb all game, to score her second try in the corner. Houghton 20 - 5 Hartlepool Rovers.

From the kick off Houghton continued to press with the Houghton back line looking repeatedly dangerous utilising the excellent ball being proved from the Houghton pack. ON 45 minutes the ball was played out to the right wing where Summer O'Brien who looked dangerous all game with ball in hand, side stepped 3 Hartlepool defenders and then burst through and out paced the Hartlepool defences to score under the posts. Summer O'Brien with the conversion. Houghton 27 - 5 Hartlepool Rovers.

The half continued to be an arm wrestle between the 2 teams but as Houghton tired, Hartlepool's more experienced players started to make more ground as Houghton started to fall off tackles. Again Houghton's defence stood strong for long periods but eventually on 53 minutes, the Hartlepool attack broke through to score their second try of the game. Houghton 27 - 10 Hartlepool Rovers.

The half continued to be camped in centre field with both sides defences being dominant. On 58 minutes following a penalty in centre field to Houghton Summer O'Brien failed to hit touch with her kick. The ball was fumbled by the Hartlepool wing with Houghton's fly half Georgia Massey, who had chased the kick superbly, picked up the loose ball and then spinning out of the tackles to score in the corner. Houghton 32 - 10 Hartlepool Rovers.

From the kick off Hartlepool continued to pressure Houghton for long periods with their own ill discipline in and around the breakdown allowing Hartlepool to gain territory and pressure. On 66 minutes through some heavy forward carries, Hartlepool crashed over for their third try of the game. Houghton 32 - 15 Hartlepool Rovers.

The final few minutes was a physical battle camped on the half way line as no team would yield. This was a testimony to the physical encounter the game had been from start to finish. On the last seconds of the game the ball broke loose and was picked up from Summer O'Brien who out paced everyone,running in from 60 metres to score under the posts for her third try of the game. Summer O'Brien with the conversion. Houghton 39 - 15 Hartlepool Rovers.

A superb performance from the girls against a very tough opposition that saw great work rate and commitment from all players.

Final Score Houghton 39 - 15 Hartlepool Rovers

Player of the Match - Kirstie Gill
Forward of the Match - Anna Barnes
Back of the Match - Georgia Massey