This coincided with Broadstreet fielding four Coventry loan players which greatly strengthened them. Three further injuries during the match, one of them serious, added to Harrogate’s problems.

Good Harrogate scrummaging gave them a solid start but wayward handling foiled promising scoring opportunities. Half an hour into the game, Broadstreet went offside in defence and Lewis Minikin’s penalty put Harrogate ahead. Broadstreet responded with sustained pressure on Harrogate’s line and a gap was created for centre, Sam Smith who sprinted through for a try converted by Lee Chapman.

Ben Reaveley replaced the injured Connor Ward at tight head but Harrogate continued to dominate the scrums at this stage. A strong left wing run by Steve Parsons initiated well constructed threequarter play and replacement hooker, Steve Maycock was in support to score on the opposite wing to put Harrogate 7-8 ahead at the interval.

Broadstreet upped their game from the restart but Harrogate didn’t help their cause with missed touch kicks and lack of control at breakdowns. Although going forward with the ball under control, a Harrogate scrum was penalised and Chapman’s kick restored the home lead. Minutes later, a Harrogate clearance went out on the full to give Broadstreet an attacking line-out and a backs move ended with a try for winger, Luke Hibberd. He was presumably one of the Coventry loan players as none of the Broadstreet bench knew his name.

Powerful Jake Brady drives kept Harrogate in contention but counter attacks continued to break down. They were penalised for crossing at one such move and Chapman’s penalty took Harrogate out of the bonus point zone. An injury to Parsons deprived Harrogate of one of their best attackers but worse was to follow when foul play led to Chris Wilson leaving the field with a serious head injury.

In the last move of the match, the efforts of Broadstreet’s outstanding flanker, Chris Idehen, were rewarded when he burst through for the final score of the match.

Broadstreet: Hodgson, Tibberd, Tilsley, Smith, Baker, Chapman, Thatcher, Walsh, Pearl, Foreman, Roberts, Wolfenden, McNulty, Idehen, J Gibbons. Subs:- Pendleton, Worthington, Murray, Martin, S Gibbons.

Harrogate: Morgan, Bottomley, Minikin, Edwards, Parsons, Irvine, Wickham, Purkis-McEndoo, Larder, Ward,
J Brady, S Brady, Wilson, Beagrie, Heaton. Subs:- Maycock, Reaveley, Harvey, London, White

Referee: Jack Lewars (London).

Match report by Bill Barrack
Photos by David Aspinall