West Leeds took the game to Harrogate from the start and two attacking chips narrowly went dead. Another backs attack led to yet another attacking chip which bounced just right for winger Danny Booth to score a try converted by Dale Breakwell. Harrogate were stung into response and mounted a string of attacks though West Leeds still looked dangerous in their occasional counter. Eventually, winger Oli Rosillo, who had a fine match, side-stepped the defence and opened the after burners to scorch over for an equalising try, converted by Luke Riddell.

The home pressure continued and was intensified after a Leeds ruck offence was yellow carded. Harry Barnard made a very welcome return in the centre after a long illness absence and a strong 45 metres run showed that he’d lost none of his strength and pace though he was tackled just short of the goal line. A well controlled driving maul followed and Guy Coser touched down to make it 12-7 at the interval.

Strong words had obviously been spoken at half time and Harrogate attacked concertedly from the restart. Desperate West Leeds defence led to a breakdown offence and, soon after they’d been restored to 15 players, Dan Baxter was despatched to the sin bin. An attacking line-out followed the penalty and another driving maul led to Coser’s second try. The next score was a Leeds penalty after they’d stolen Harrogate line-out ball and they continued to attack at every opportunity. Harrogate skipper, Danny Matthews came off the bench to add stability and a great clearance kick thwarted another West Leeds attack. However, Leeds continued to throw everything they could at Harrogate and, on the stroke of the final whistle, a converted Rian Hoey try took the game into sudden death extra time.

Stung by this situation, Harrogate finally started to play to something like their normal standard. Sam Brady raised his game by several degrees to dominate the forward exchanges and David Doherty came back from the bench to attack strongly. However, a narrowly missed West Leeds drop goal attempt would have won them the game. Harrogate responded with their own attempt at a drop goal which barely got six inches off the ground. Another scintillating Rosillo try ended the match. The sudden death regulation meant that no conversion was attempted.

Harrogate: Doherty, Rosillo, Barnard, Naylor, Edwards, Riddell, Hebblethwaite, Woodworth, Yorke, Jerjilla, Brady, Johnson, Dodds, G Coser, Hucknall. Subs:- Lansdell, Harvey, Young, Harris, Matthews.

West Leeds: Quaid, Booth, Neave, Jackson, Marshall, D Breakwell, Milborne, Smith, Bird, Robinson, Baxter, Betts, Cockin, Waddington, Penny. Subs:- Salter, Johnstone, Watts, Hoey, T Breakwell.

Referee: Mike Hurdley (Yorkshire)

Match report by Bill Barrack