Harrogate opened with waves of attacking rugby and, though they wasted several scoring opportunities, Willem Enslin drove over to score and Lewis Minikin’s conversion made it 0-7 after 3 minutes. The Harrogate attacks continued but they lost possession on the left and South Leicester’s counter ended with a well judged Rickie Aley cross kick and a Charles Thacker try, converted by Aley.

This score was completely against the run of play at this early stage but the home pack then took complete control of the set pieces, driving Harrogate back in the scrums and stealing crucial lines-out. The ball was spun left from a long Leicester driving maul and full back Jacob Heath came into the line to score another converted try.

With increasingly limited possession, Harrogate continued to try to attack, mainly through centre Noel Minikin but good home defence prevailed. Crucial attempted Harrogate clearing kicks failed to find touch leading to still more home pressure. Harrogate were penalised once too often at home attacking scrums so the next score was a converted penalty try.

The Leicester forward dominance continued and gave Aley the time and space for a well taken drop goal. In the last minute of the half, Thacker scored the bonus point fourth try through a midfield defensive gap.

Second half forward reorganizations led to scrummaging parity with Connor Ward outstanding in tight and loose play. Callum Irvine failed with a highly ambitious, long drop goal attempt but Harrogate were now competing seriously. However, the next score was another home converted try. Good Enslin No8 scrum control gave Harrogate the opportunity to kick for touch from behind their goal line. Unfortunately, the kick hit the crossbar and Gareth Turner pounced for a converted try.

A storming Ward 30 metres midfield run scattered defenders but what would have been a scoring pass went astray. Harrogate’s next chance came from a sublime piece of Jonny Coser skill. Leicester drove out of defence but he won excellent turnover ball, chipped over the goal line but was narrowly beaten to the touch down.

Jake Brady then stole a home line-out to set up more Harrogate attacks and Sam Bottomley powered through to score a try converted by Irvine. Harrogate’s now dominant scrum drove strongly to create space for Irvine to break. Lewis Minikin was in support to score but the conversion was the final move of the match.

South Leicester. Heath, Gunn, Cave, Thacker, Kerr, Aley, Gibbs, McNaughton, Ager, Peck, Cheney, W Ward, Cope, Turner, Bale. Subs:- Erskine, Howe, Hopkins, Priestly-Naneglo, Cooke.

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

Referee. Claire Hodnett (RFU)

Match report by Bill Barrack
Photos by David Aspinall