Harpenden left ‘beyond gutted’ but entertaining encounter at Welwyn still has them smiling

Hannah Lloyd's try on the last play paved the way for a dramatic win for Welwyn Ladies against Harpenden. (Image: Archant)

Four tries from Clare Cranfield and a brace for Charlotte Hamlyn-Williams was backed up by three conversions for Jenny Hunnable looked to be enough for the visitors to Hobbs Way but a converted try on the last play broke Harpenden hearts.

Hannah Lloyd's try on the last play paved the way for a dramatic win for Welwyn Ladies against Harpenden. (Image: Archant)

But so exciting was the game for both spectator and player alike that even despite the result it was still difficult to stop Harpenden’s player-manager Felicity Aubertin-Scriven from smiling.

Welwyn Ladies just edged a superbly-entertaining clash at home to Harpenden. (Image: Archant)

That’s not to say she wasn’t hugely disappointed too.

Welwyn Ladies just edged a superbly-entertaining clash at home to Harpenden. (Image: Archant)

“I’m absolutely beyond gutted,” she said. “When we scored that try with two minutes to go I genuinely thought we’d won it.

Welwyn Ladies just edged a superbly-entertaining clash at home to Harpenden. (Image: Archant)

“It would have been the first league game we’d won this season so the fact we didn’t is horrible, especially as we could have tied and that would have been fine but they scored between the posts.

Welwyn Ladies just edged a superbly-entertaining clash at home to Harpenden. (Image: Archant)

“But I think that was the best game of rugby we’ve played in ages and given we started with 13 and had 12 for most of it, that was brilliant.

Welwyn Ladies just edged a superbly-entertaining clash at home to Harpenden. (Image: Archant)

“Welwyn are such a good, friendly and clean team as well, it was really nice to play them.

Welwyn Ladies just edged a superbly-entertaining clash at home to Harpenden. (Image: Archant)

“It takes a lot to keep going but we’re used to it and we just get our heads up and go for it.

Welwyn Ladies just edged a superbly-entertaining clash at home to Harpenden. (Image: Archant)

“We played our socks off in that last phase. It was just gutting not to get the score in the end.”

Welwyn Ladies just edged a superbly-entertaining clash at home to Harpenden. (Image: Archant)

The match swung one way and then another with Harpenden at one point enjoying a 19-7 lead and with two minutes to go Hamlyn-Williams’ second put them five points ahead.

Welwyn Ladies just edged a superbly-entertaining clash at home to Harpenden. (Image: Archant)

And it will take more than the rollercoaster of emotions to dent the enthusiastic Harpenden side.

Welwyn Ladies just edged a superbly-entertaining clash at home to Harpenden. (Image: Archant)

“Morale is still high,” enthused Aubertin-Scriven. “We’re working really hard in training and we’re putting things together and every single game we see more and more bits come together.

Welwyn Ladies just edged a superbly-entertaining clash at home to Harpenden. (Image: Archant)

“It’s really coming forward and if we had a full 15 I think it would have been different.

Welwyn Ladies just edged a superbly-entertaining clash at home to Harpenden. (Image: Archant)

“The improvement we’ve had since out first game is amazing.”

Welwyn Ladies just edged a superbly-entertaining clash at home to Harpenden. (Image: Archant)

And she is looking forward to the remainder of the season.

Hannah Lloyd's try on the last play paved the way for a dramatic win for Welwyn Ladies against Harpenden. (Image: Archant)

She said: “It’s such a dream to be playing regular matches and have such a good team around us. Scarlet Cooper-Wall and Dan Anderson are amazing coaches and we feel really together.

“We are genuinely excited for the games ahead.”