However, although Harrogate won comfortably enough in the end, their game was littered with handling errors which kept Broadstreet in contention throughout.

An opening period of Harrogate pressure ended with Broadstreet going offside and a Lewis MInikin penalty put Harrogate ahead. A big Sam Bottomley midfield break set up a period of Harrogate pressure which was disrupted by handling errors and clearing kicks going straight into touch. From a stolen Harrogate line-out, the ball was released to Broadstreet’s talented stand-off, Lee Chapman. His break set up a counter attack which ended with Harrogate’s Luke Edwards being sin binned for a high tackle. Chapman’s kick evened the scores.

Promising Harrogate attacks ended with a series of mistakes including a knock-on near the goal line. On the half hour, Broadstreet’s scrum was put under pressure and Noel Minikin intercepted a loose midfield pass to score under the posts. His brother’s conversion made it 10-3. Powerful Willem Enslin drives consistently burst through the visiting defence with the Coser brothers scavenging and tackling in support. A thunderous Enslin tackle won good turnover ball but Harrogate then gave away a penalty which resulted in an attacking Broadstreet line-out. From a big driving maul, scrum half Pierre Ferre darted over to score and make it 10-8 at the break

Harrogate mounted sustained attacks from the restart, Broadstreet went offside and L Minikin’s penalty made it 13-8. He then put in along clearance kick and, when Broadstreet counter attacked, Harrogate won turnover ball and Jake Brady crashed over for a converted try. Yet more promising Harrogate attacks continued to break down but Broadstreet conceded an offside penalty to make it 23-8.

Although Harrogate were missing some regular front row players, they scrummaged well throughout but Broadstreet won quick turnover ball and Nick Thatcher broke and sprinted 40 metres for a spectacular individual converted try. The Harrogate pack were, in complete control thereafter with a series of pick-ups and drives till the final whistle

Harrogate: L Minikin, Bottomley, Edwards, N Minikin, Barnard, Irvine, Matthews, Cutino, Maycock, Reaveley, J Brady, S Brady, J Coser, G Coser, Enslin. Subs:- Yorke, Peace, Flett, Boyde, Morgan

Broadstreet: McGrory, Hibberd, Murray, Carney, Bean, Chapman, Ferre, Walsh, Pearl, Dodd, A Solomon, M Solomon, McNulty, Idehen, Gibbons. Subs:- Martin, Hills, Thatcher, Harrison, Truslove.

Referee: Hamish Smales (North).

Match report by Bill Barrack
Photos by David Aspinal and Richard Bown

Also check out John Ashton's photos HERE