Burnage attacked from the onset with Harrogate’s old adversary, Ross Winney, orchestrating the home midfield. Their initial scrummaging also caused Harrogate problems to the extent of them losing two early strikes against the head. However, an incisive Rob Almond counter from deep sparked off another Harrogate attack, Burnage went offside and Callum Irvine’s penalty kick opened the scoring.

Harrogate knocked on badly at the restart and, from the resulting scrum, Burnage attacked wide. Right winger, James Knight was just forced into touch in the act of touching down. More concerted Harrogate attacks resulted from an excellent Irvine line kick. Pressure on a home scrum led to a powerful Harrogate driving maul, Burnage again went offside and Irvine duly extended the lead. Harrogate’s first try then seemed to have been scored but the referee called play back for a home offside offence and Irvine’s kick made it 0-9

The outstanding No8, Max Lewis, caused a bit of confusion by wearing a No5 shirt but his powerful runs caused even more difficulties for Burnage. A 45 metre run in which he scattered defenders like ninepins unfortunately ended when he lost possession near the line. Burnage counter attacked, forced Harrogate to go offside and Winney’s penalty kick made it 3-9 at half time.

From the restart, Burnage attempted a forward drive out of defence but were penalised for holding and Irvine’s kick made it 3-12. A dazzling Pete Wackett midfield break was well supported by his fellow centre, Kyle Dench, but a high tackle prevented a seemingly certain try. Another Irvine kick extended the lead.

A Winney penalty soon made it 6-15 but Harrogate applied still more pressure from the restart. Wackett again scythed through the midfield and Mike Aspinall was forced into touch in the act of scoring---an almost identical repeat of James Knight’s first half effort.

Harrogate’s improved scrummaging and their line-out domination led to a steady stream of possession but stout Burnage defence prevailed. Eventually, Harrogate stole a defensive home line-out, the ball was spun left and Almond scored the game’s first try. Winney just about kept Burnage in the game with another penalty but a storming Lewis run set up quick ball. An Aspinall half break was carried on by Irvine who created space for Wackett to dart through for a converted try.

Burnage refused to lie down and took the game to Harrogate for the remaining ten minutes. The pressure led to a well deserved converted try from Adam Knight. This was the final score of the match though Harrogate’s defence continued to be tested during the remaining few minutes.

Burnage: Wellock, James Knight, Adam Blaney, Winney, Adam Knight, Jennings, Jonny Scholes, O’Sullivan, Hammond, Keane, Edge, Nick Scholes, Lynn, Lawson, Hewitt, Ben Hamed, Limb, Tom Blaney

Harrogate: Almond, Denton, Dench, Wackett, Minikin, Irvine, Wickham, Browne, Maycock, Innes, Harvey, Spencer, Brady, Seyres, Lewis, Aspinall, Metcalfe, Wilson

Referee: Paul Finncken (North)

Match Report by Bill Barrack
Photos by David Aspinall