Kirkby Lonsdale vs Harrogate

Each team scored 3 tries so Luke White’s 100% kicking record made a crucial difference. Kirkby Lonsdale lost their record run of 51 unbeaten home matches.

From the kick-off, Harrogate won turnover ball and a 20 metres Tim Heaton break set up attacking driving mauls. KL twice managed to hold the ball up over the goal but Harrogate drove strongly from a 5 metres scrum and Sam Brady touched down. White’s conversion made it 0-7 after 3 minutes play.

KL responded well with telling runs from former Yorkshire Carnegie centre, Scott Armstrong. Their No8, David Maka was at the heart of the home attacks and, when Harrogate were penalised, full back Ryan Terry’s kick opened their account. They then went into a one point lead when Harrogate fumbled a loose ball in defence and Armstrong seized on it to score in the corner. KL had the strong wind at their backs during the half and mounted repeated attacks. The Harrogate defence held firm until a great Dave Barton cross kick was taken by Armstrong who scored his second try in the right corner to make it 13-7 at half time.

Harrogate knocked on from the restart kick, KL continued to attack and, when Harrogate went offside, a Terry penalty extended the home lead. However, Harrogate now had the wind advantage and continued pressure forced KL to concede 2 quick successive long range penalties. Cool hand, Luke White kicked them both to make it 16-13 and put Harrogate into losing bonus point territory. This proved to be short lived when industrious home flanker, Stu Storey crashed over to make it 21-13 with 20 minutes remaining.

Harrogate dominated possession for the rest of the match and their backs put attacking moves together in increasingly appalling conditions. Driving rain into your reporter’s spectacles made it difficult for him to follow everything closely but a powerful run from centre, Noel Minikin took him through the defence for a converted try which made it 21-20 as injury time approached. The pressure continued and elusive running from winger, Olly Rosillo took him over the line to score in the corner. White’s touchline conversion ended the match

Kirkby Lonsdale: Terry, Maddox, Armstrong, Pickstham, Knapton, Barton, Huddleston, Thompson, Armistead, Rowse, Kwiczon, Gore, Galbraith, Storey, Maka. Subs:- Horner, Towers, Potgeiter

Harrogate: Doherty, Rosillo, Lawson, Minikin, Edwards, White, Matthews, Butler, Maycock, Ward, Dodds, Brady,
G Coser, J Coser, Heaton. Subs:- Boyde, Parrish, Hucknall.

Referee: Tom Hurdley (Northern Division)

Match report by Bill Barrack