Waterloo vs Harrogate

Although on top for most of the game, Harrogate didn’t fully subdue the spirited Waterloo challenge till the last quarter.

In an early attack, Harrogate centre, Sam Bottomley, made the extra man but was tackled into touch just short of the line. Almost immediately, there was a carbon copy of this move on the opposite wing and Danny McGee scored. Mike Aspinall converted from the touchline.

Waterloo’s efforts were rewarded in the 25th minute when Harrogate were penalised for crossing in an attempted drive from a line-out. Liam McGovern’s kick made it 3-7. Harrogate then opted for an attacking scrum from a penalty. The ball was quickly spread along the threequarter line and prop, Simon Davies supported well to crash over for another converted try.

It was the Waterloo’s turn to spin the ball quickly from a scrum. Their speedy winger, James Gee took advantage of some feeble Harrogate tackling to score a fine 30 metre try. M’cGovern’s conversion made the half time score 10-14.

Harrogate started the 2nd half with frantic efforts to convert their superiority into points but a succession of handling errors thwarted them. However, 15 minutes into the half, Chris Harris took the scoring pass at the end of a dazzling threequarter attack. They drew further ahead with an Aspinall penalty following a home offside offence.

Further frenetic play followed with both sides attempting too much too soon. Harrogate’s performance was then steadied by the contributions of substitutes Ben Sowrey, Phil Wickham & Ryan Peacey and their superiority became more evident.

Concerted Harrogate attacks followed and Waterloo counters were foiled by some strong runs out of defence by Peacey. Flanker, Chris Wilson pounced on a loose ball and outsprinted the home defence for the crucial, bonus point try. The Harrogate pressure continued and quick secondary possession led to Bottomley rounding off a fine performance with the game’s final try. Aspinall’s conversion sealed a satisfactory day for the visitors.

Waterloo: Moran, Dubart, Korborlewski, McGovern, Gee, Reeve, Danks, Gibney, Rylance, Barrett, Harrington, Casey, McKie, Nolan, Bell.

Harrogate: Smithies, McGie, Bottomley, Dench, Harris, Aspinall, Robinson (Wickham 60), Browne (Sowrey 55), Yorke, Davies (McMillan 70), Spencer (Heaton 74), Brady, Wilson, Maslaveckas, Lewis (Peacey 70).

Referee: Trevor Fisher (RFU).