Harrogate won the toss and chose to play with the strong blustery wind behind them as Hull kicked off into the gale. After just five minutes Gate earned a penalty and Luke Riddell, making his first start for Harrogate, kicked the goal 3 - 0. Hull were quickly back into the game and from a line out in the Gate 22 they secured the ball for a catch and drive try for Hull’s hooker and Captain Thomas Rice. 3 - 5.

Harrogate began winning regular possession and their backs were moving the ball around with accurate passing and safe handling. They worked their way up the field and from a ruck the lively Gate Scrum Half, Wickham, like a ferret, took route one from the ruck to score a try from 15 metres out, close to the posts for Riddell to convert.

Harrogate’s forwards had the edge in the physical contest with Jonny Coser, Aarin Yorke, Tom Larder, Jack Barnard and Jack Starkey sharing the workload with their older team-mates. With Harrogate winning phase after phase Hull’s No.5 Lira Seren made a deliberate knock on and was yellow carded after 30 minutes.

As half time approached Hull worked their way into the Harrogate half and kicked for touch from a penalty. From the lineout, six metres out, they successfully caught the ball and drove over the line for their second and final score of the game, again for their hooker Rice, as the conversion was missed against the wind. 10 - 10.

From the second half kick off Harrogate were willing to continue passing the ball around their backs with some clever interpassing, scissors and off loads from the threequarters Riddell, Edwards, Dixon, Barnard, Ashman and Rosillo. Within one minute they created space on the left wing and, making his debut for Harrogate, Ashman’s pace took him over the line for Gate’s second try 15 -10.

Gate’s lively and entertaining play continued and this time it was the speedy full back Rosillo who finished off with a try which Riddell converted. 22 - 10. The Harrogate backs were now full of confidence and although Hull defended bravely they were outplayed and following a high tackle Harrogate were awarded another penalty which Riddell slotted easily between the posts. 25 - 10.

Harrogate scrum half Wickham was outstanding and voted man of the match but was replaced by late in the game by Paddy Hebblethwaite who continued in the same vein.

Hull showed great talent and willingness to compete but Harrogate had the edge in most departments and the final 25 - 10 score was a fair reflection of the game.

Otley pulled out of their Yorkshire Cup semi final today against Sheffield Tigers who will now play Harrogate in the final to be played at Morley on Wednesday 26th April.

Harrogate: Rosillo, Harry Barnard, Edwards, Dixon, Ashman, Riddell, Wickham, Purkiss-McEndoo, Larder, Reaveley, S.Brady, J.Brady, Jack Barnard, Starkey. Replacements: Yorke, Mason, Coser, Minikin, Hebblethwaite.

Hull: Birch. Tanumi, Heard, Martin, Smith, Price, Harding, Quigley, Rice, Jobling, Nel, Seren, Hamber, Hague, Stafford. Replacements: Langkilde, Gray, Brown, Hihetah, Watts.

Referee: Peter Stentiford (YRFU)

Match report by Brian Forshaw