Today, the newly promoted Tigers were good value for their win and Harrogate’s performance gave them a lot to think about. The Harrogate pack outscrummaged Tigers throughout the game but, though living off scraps, Sheffield’s backs had far more penetration with incisive running from Pete Swatkins and Jamie Broadley. Flanker, Lee Monks worked tirelessly throughout the game, linking well with his threequarters.

Two minutes into the game, Sheffield won turnover ball in the loose and quick backs passing led to a try for Alex Graham, converted by Tom Outram. The Harrogate pack fed a constant stream of possession to their backs who failed to penetrate the Tigers defence. A succession of driving mauls led to an attacking Harrogate scrum and a penalty try, converted by Charlie Morgan to level the scores. The forward pressure continued and Jonny Coser drove over to score a converted try from from a driving maul. Sheffield soon equalised from spilled Harrogate possession and Broadley took the pass to score efficiently. As the half drew to a close, Harrogate missed 2 penalty goal kicks and it was 14-14 at the break.

Sheffield attacked from the restart but Harrogate’s defence weathered the storm and scrum half, Danny Matthews set up counter attacks. The Harrogate pack won yet another penalty and Morgan’s kick put them 3 points ahead with 15 minutes remaining. Harrogate continued to attack but Broadley seized on loose ball near his own 22, broke incisively and won the chase to score from his own kick ahead. It was Sheffield who were now exerting pressure with Harrogate attempting counter attacks from defence. However, they were penalised for coming in from the side at a maul and Outram’s final kick made it 17-24.

Harrogate: Morgan, Rossillo, Doherty, Edwards, Barnard, Davies, Matthews, Ward, Maycock, Dennis, J Brady,
S Brady, Harvey, J Coser, Enslin. Subs:- Yorke, Peace, N Smith, Nesbitt, Riddell

Sheffield Tigers: Swatkins, Graham, Broadley, Buchanan, Packard, Outram, Holmes, Hopkins, Bennett, Simmonds, Orton, Leeming, Pearson, F Smith, Carter. Subs:- Townsend, Cone Monks, Wallace, Bowyer.

Referee: Ryan Smith (Midlands)

Match report by Bill Barrack