Westoe vs Harrogate

After a shock early score against them, Harrogate gradually overcame strong Westoe scrummaging to take control of the game. Their speedy backs used the possession well and winger, Steve Parsons set the game alight with his electric pace and strength.

In the 1st minute, Westoe drove Harrogate off their own 5 metre scrum & moved the ball quickly to stand-off, Charlie Rayner. He touched down under the posts to give himself an easy conversion. Harrogate counter attacked and Westoe defended desperately before going offside. Danny McGee scored from the resulting penalty.

Harrogate’s scrum was now competing with the powerful Westoe pack and Parsons was given the ball in space 10metres inside his own half. With incredible speed & strength, he carved his way through the home defence to score his 1st brilliant converted try. Westoe were still very much in the game and pounced on possession from a bad Harrogate knock on. The ball was quickly moved to centre, James Clark who scored near the touchline. An excellent Rayner conversion put Westoe 14-10 ahead but this was to be their last score of the match.

Harrogate regained the lead when good line-out ball was spun out to Parsons who treated the crowd to yet another brilliant solo converted try before the interval.

After an even start to the 2nd half, Harrogate set up a driving maul. Neil Spence tucked in at the end of it to score one of his trademark tries A serious injury to Westoe flanker, Ryan Foster, then led to a 20minute delay until he was taken off by ambulance. Harrogate’s Physio, Amanda Hughes gave assistance during this period. This led to some of the Harrogate “walking wounded” being treated by Assistant Coach, Graeme Tasker, a Veterinary Surgeon!!!

Harrogate’s concentration seemed to have been the more affected by the delay and Westoe mounted a succession of attacks. However, Harrogate’s defence held firm and Rayner missed some straightforward penalty opportunities.

Harrogate recovered their composure and, in the dying minutes, set up a scintillating back move from which Sam Bottomley scored in the corner. Replacement stand-off, Steve Brimacombe’s touchline conversion made the final score 14-29.

Westoe -Philips, Olugbode, J Clark, Haswell, C Clark, Rayner, Judson, Nesbit, Tennet, Elliott, Bird,
I Robinson, Mutchai, Foster, Dye

Harrogate - Smithies (Broadley 60), Parsons, Dench, McGee, Bottomley, D Davies (Brimacombe 70), W Robinson, Browne, Yorke (Hannan 50), S Davies (McMillan 50), Boyle

Photographs courtesy of Phil Haswell of Westoe RFC

Further images available at

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pchaswell/sets/72157622226542365/