Harrogate vs Nuneaton

However, Nuneaton came back strongly in the middle period and the result was very much in doubt until the final 10 minutes.

A 1st minute break from home full back, Ed Smithies, set up a try in the corner for the incisive centre, Kyle Dench. Another attacking situation was thwarted when Harrogate were penalised for crossing but Nuneaton missed touch and quick recycled ball led to a 9 minute try for debutant winger James Rothwell.

The Harrogate attacks continued but Nuneaton were trying to compete by slowing the game down and managed to force a home 22 drop out. A quick tap was taken but a bad knock on was pounced on by Nuns prop, Adam Woodfield and he thundered over for a try converted by Lee Chapman. Astonishingly, Nuneaton then took the lead when Nick Smith touched down from a driving maul and Chapman’s conversion made it 10-14.

A further Nuns attack was halted by an excellent home turnover and Mike Aspinall set up a brilliant counter attack which was carried on by Rob Almond. Jamie Broadley supported brilliantly to score and give Harrogate a narrow 15-14 half time lead.

An even period of play ensued for the 1st 20 minutes of the second period and a Chapman penalty then put Nuneaton into a 1 point lead when Harrogate strayed offside. This proved to be the Nuns’ final score. The Harrogate backs quickly struck back and won the bonus point when Broadley completed a slick move initiated by Dench and carried on by Almond.

The home pack became more dominant from this stage with crucial line-out “steals” from Chris Wilson, powerful breaks from Tim Heaton and crucial physical play, in attack and defence, from Jake Brady.

Scrum half, Phil Wickham then made a sniping break, Almond carried on the move and outstripped the defence for a fine converted try. More inventive home back play led to a line-out on the Nuns 5 metre line and replacement flanker, Andrew Enston scored from the subsequent driving maul.

Harrogate’s offensive continued and a smartly taken quick penalty from Heaton set up the game’s final try from replacement winger Ali Chalmers.

Harrogate
Smithies, Rothwell, Dench (Chalmers 78), Broadley, Almond, Aspinall, Wickham, Browne, Weaving (Reaveley 78), Fraser (Innes 50), Spencer, Brady, Rieder (Enston 63), Heaton, Wilson.

Nuneaton
Cave, Wallis, Collins, Johnson, Cooksammy, Chapman, Jolly, Dunkley, Green, Woodfield, Turner, Griffiths, Smith, Forder, Bullions.

Referee
Andrew Jackson (RFU)