Caldy attacked from the start and went into an early lead when an attempted Dickie Davies clearance kick was charged down. The pressure mounted and centre, Andrew Barnish, burst through to score.

An even period of play followed with both defences being tested by creative attacks. Harrogate prop, Jack Bergmanas, took full advantage of midfield possession to make a powerful break. Caldy went offside and Latus’s penalty reduced the deficit. The Harrogate pack then had an inspired period of play with Ryan Peacey, James Tyson, Tim Heaton & Jimmy Browne driving holes into the visitors’ defence. Browne powered over and Latus converted to put Harrogate into a 10-5 lead.

Caldy came straight back on the offensive and it needed desperate home defence to hold them out. Harrogate counter attacked down the middle from defence but lost possession and the visiting No8, JJ Dickinson broke clear for a fine individual try, converted by Gavin Roberts.

This was the final score of the half but it was by no means the end of the excitement in this pulsating match. Sam Bottomley’s attacking & defensive organizational skills were a highlight of this period for Harrogate.

Harrogate attacked again from the restart but were penalised for crossing. Caldy’s penalty led to an attacking line-out and Roberts broke clear to score and extend their lead. Harrogate came straight back at them and set up a series of driving mauls near the goal line. Peacey eventually picked up at the end of a drive and burst through for a trademark try.

Caldy then had a period of dominance with good scrummaging setting up attacking situations. A bad Harrogate attempted clearance was snapped up by Roberts who darted through for a try which he converted himself.

This put Caldy 9 points ahead but Harrogate continued to take the game to them and were awarded a penalty for an offside offence. Derek Salisbury’s protest at the decision led to him being sin binned and the kick being advanced 10 metres. Latus nervelessly kicked the 3 points.

Continual Harrogate pressure on the Caldy line followed with replacement stand-off, Callum Irvine, adding extra zip to the attacks. He and Peacey combined well to set up a gap from which Dench crashed over for the winning score.

Harrogate: Smithies, Gemmell, Dench, Bottomley, Latus, Davies (Irvine 67), Wickham, Bergmanas (Fraser 50), Maycock (Yorke 67), Browne, Harvey, S Brady (J Brady 50), Heaton, Tyson, Peacey

Caldy: Soutar, Eaves, Roberts, Woof (Vasey 62), Barnish, Kohler, Broxson (Smith 70), Parker (P Doolan 62), Dowridge, Salisbury, Sewell, Collister, Aigbokhae, Bansor, Dickinson

Referee: Andrew Vertigan (RFU)

Match Report by Bill Barrack

Photos by Richard Bown and David Aspinall