If, as is likely, Wharfedale are the other finalists, the final will be played at West Park Leeds. The pitches at Harrogate’s new Rudding Lane Ground aren’t quite ready so this “home match” was hosted by Wetherby.

Wheatley Hills play two Leagues below Harrogate but gave it their all in a competitive first half. Powerful running by No8, Tom White, set up attacks which tested the Harrogate defence. However, Harrogate’s superior organization and fitness became more and more evident and their young backs “ran away with it” in the second half.

Harrogate went through their attacking moves from the start and a Callum Irvine break was well supported by Luke Edwards whose try was converted by Irvine. Minutes later, forwards and backs combined well to make space for a good Irvine try which made it 12-0 after 10 minutes. Astonishingly, that was the final score of the half. A combination of doughty Wheatley defence and Harrogate handling errors prevented any further scoring.

Shortly after the break, a quickly taken Phil Wickham penalty led to Irvine dancing through for his second converted try. Prolonged pressure on the Wheatley line ended with a try for prop, Nino Cutino which was converted by replacement stand-off, Joe Rowntree. The Harrogate forward pressure continued and, although Ben Reaveley, Cutino’s prop colleague was held up just short of the line, the ball was recycled to No8, Willem Enslin who powered over for another converted try.

Strong running from Harrogate centre, Cam Leadley, featured throughout the match and he drew the defence to put replacement winger, Harry Barnard, clear for the next try. James Audsley-Beck then made a spectacular right wing break and, although an unlucky bounce took his attacking chip away from him, Noel Minikin was in support to score under the posts. A Rowntree break set up Harrogate’s final attack and impressive finishing from Barnard made it 52-0.

Harrogate: Parrish, Aspin, Edwards, Leadley, Morland, Irvine, Wickham, Cutino, Nyemba, Reaveley, Johnson, Boyde, Wilson, N Minikin, Enslin. Subs used:- Beagrie, Dewsnip, Barnard, Rowntree, Audsley-Beck, Coser.

Wheatley Hills: Green, Blessed, Butler, Shaw, Montgomery, Sanderson, Poste, White, Crasswell, Tijanic, Undy, Dunn, O’Donnell, Mortimer, Stephenson. Subs used:- Fullman, Cahill, Townsley.

Referee: Simon Park (South Yorkshire)

Match report by Bill Barrack
Further photos from John Ashton https://flic.kr/s/aHsk9UHvVZ

Match Programme can be downloaded using the link below
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3qNBuHF89LpVm1rR1c4cUNZcjg/edit?usp=docslist_api