Harrogate’s David Doherty kicked 5 downwind penalties in the first half but Wharfedale got into the home 22 twice in this period and scored a try each time. Early in the second half, Wharfedale front row injuries led to the game going to uncontested scrums and Jamie Guy danced through for a converted try to put the visitors 15-17 ahead. The uncontested scrums led to much more possession for Wharfedale but the Harrogate pack gradually took control in the loose and a late Doherty try gave them the narrowest of wins.

Wharfedale gave away an early penalty from a powerful Harrogate Scrum and Doherty kicked Harrogate ahead. This was effectively repeated 3 more times to make it 12-0 after 25 minutes. A home midfield mix up turned possession over to ‘Dale and they set up a strong drive from which Josh Burridge powered over to score. A fifth Doherty penalty followed but Harrogate were then penalised for a high tackle, Wharfedale won the attacking line-out and Ian Larkin drove over to score and make it 15-10 at the break.

Now playing into the strong wind, Harrogate continued to dominate up front till the scrums became uncontested. Guy’s try put ‘Dale ahead and, with possession more even, an even period of play followed. However, Harrogate’s forward exerted more and more control with Sam Brady and Willem Enslin standing out particularly well. Debut centre, Scott Irvine also impressed and Harrogate mounted concerted pressure. Wharfedales’s defence held out till the ball was quickly released to Doherty who squeezed over to score in the corner.

Harrogate: Doherty, Barnard, Edwards, Irvine, Giles, C Morgan, Matthews, Ward, Maycock, Dennis, J Brady,
S Brady, J Coser, G Coser, Harvey. Subs:- Larder, Reaveley, Enslin, Davies, Wickham

Wharfedale: Jordan, Prell, H Bullough, H Morgan, Cicognini, Guy, J Bullough, Altham, Stockdale, Huck, Allen,
G Ward, Hedley, Wilson, Burridge. Subs:- Poole, Larkin, Rhodes, Gaudie, Wellock

Referee: Llyr Ap Geraint Roberts (RFU)

Match report by Bill Barrack