Harwich and Dovercourt Owls welcome Eastern Counties rivals Bury Foxes to Low Road this Sunday in the first found of the women’s Junior Cup, 2pm Kick Off. Although they have home advantage, the Owls go into this cup tie as underdogs.

It is only a year since the local team played their first ever game whereas Bury have considerably more experience as a team and individually. In previous games against Bury the Owls have been beaten and there was a clear difference in skill.

With only three players in their teamwith any previous playing experience before they were formed, the Owls have been on a steep learning curve over the past months and this game will act as a good marker as to how well they have progressed. The opportunity to play regularly through league matches should also help them find the consistency required to match their rivals in this cup match.

Although minus two key players, Sam Edwards and captain Mimi Montgomery, there is now sufficient depth and talent in the squad. Annalise Allan, Yas Amber and Kimberley Hutchins in the backs have been scoring freely and the forwards have developed as a good scrummaging and rucking unit. They have also tightened up defensively with strong tacklers such as Sophia Tricker, Naomi Dobner and Sarah Hanser proving hard to get past. The strong running of Abi Cutts, Tasha Bray and Deanne Poole also add to the pack’s arsenal and Maisie Green is linking the forwards and backs with growing confidence and skill.

If the Owls can play to their full potential, a cup shock could be on the cards!

Report by Walter Blacker