Caldy looked impressive in the first half and their 1st try after 3 minutes from hooker Dowdridge, converted by fly half Vasey, set the scene for what was to follow.

Harrogate replied with a penalty from Chalmers after 9 minutes. Caldy’s pressure was sustained as they skilfully went through the phases and set up Vasey for his 1st penalty after 14 minutes when Harrogate’s scrum came under pressure.

Caldy continued to press and Harrogate’s left wing, Rob Almond, was adjudged to have deliberately knocked on and was shown the yellow card.

With Harrogate a man short Caldy increased the pressure and their right wing, Craig Ross, was next to score but the conversion hit the post. Caldy’s points tally was building and the sustained pressure allowed centre Gavin Roberts to break through on the Harrogate 22 metre line for a try converted by Vasey to complete Caldy’s 1st half scoring.

Harrogate showed in the final five minutes of the half that they were not ready to concede the game and began to exert some pressure themselves which led to a well created try for full back Ali Chalmers which he converted himself for a half time score of 10 – 29.

Just before the try the assistant referee suffered an injury and had to be replaced by the Harrogate 4th Official.

The second half belonged to Harrogate as they dominated throughout the half. Chalmers opened Harrogate’s account with a penalty after 4 minutes when Caldy’s scrum collapsed. Harrogate’s man of the match, flanker Alex Rieder, scored his debut try for the club following some slick handling by the Harrogate centres Dench and Broadley. The conversion went wide.

Harrogate were now in control and from possession inside their own half Broadley made the break then cleverly passed inside to Harris who timed his pass perfectly to Dench who raced in for his first try of the game which went unconverted. Four minutes later Dench’s incisive running led to his 2nd try which Chalmers converted.

This edged Harrogate into a one point lead but with time running out Caldy were awarded a penalty which Vasey kicked to give Caldy the winning points at 32 – 30.

Caldy’s Director of Rugby, Simon Wright was obviously, ‘delighted with the result and Caldy’s first half performance,’ but recognised that they, ‘had allowed Harrogate back into the game in the 2nd half.’

No.8 Craig Smithson was Caldy’s man of the match.

Harrogate Manager Graham Siswick was disappointed with their first half performance but gave them credit, ‘for a tremendous resurgence in the second Half.?