However, Rugby scored a converted try on their first visit to Harrogate territory and, although they’d given Harrogate too much of a start, they actually “won” the rest of the match.

The game started at a frantic pace with Harrogate quickly recycling ball and setting up waves of attacks. It was highly entertaining stuff though a bit too “flash” at times. Eventually, a powerful Kyle Dench midfield break gave Jamie Broadley the ball on the right wing. He was seemingly well covered but his strength and determination took him over the line for the game’s opening score.

Mike Aspinall took a quick penalty on the left and cross kicked to the opposite wing where Steve Parsons caught the ball and touched down. Unfortunately, he’d just scraped the touchline so the try was disallowed.

Harrogate’s “man mountain” prop, Si Davies, had clearly stated before the game that these hot, dry conditions didn’t suit him. However, after a bout of dazzling three-quarters’ inter passing, he took the ball just inside the Rugby 22 and powered through the defence and over the try line. He was festooned with defenders as he crossed the line but didn’t seem to notice them and kept trundling inwards to touch down under the posts.

More Harrogate sevens style rugby followed and Aspinall crossed the line but unselfishly passed to give the supporting Steve Hewetson his first try for the Club. Joe Marston then opened Rugby’s account with a well taken interception try converted by Lloyd Warner.

Harrogate continued to attack but, having carved space for himself on the left wing, Sam Bottomley unaccountably cut inside and was tackled short of the line. Aspinall then broke through after good support play and gave the ball to Si Davies. He again burst through and over attempted tackles and showed good hands to give Broadley his second try and Harrogate a bonus point.

Rugby’s scrummaging had been improving as the game progressed and they started to give Harrogate real problems in this department after half time. Harrogate tried to attack from a retreating situation without support and Rugby’s lightning winger, Tom Harris, outstripped the cover for a fine try.

The score remained at 12-24 for the next 20 minutes and Rugby’s increasing forward dominance threatened to take the game from Harrogate. However Harrogate counter attacked but the move seemed to have died when a wild Aspinall pass landed in “no man’s land” on the left touchline. A bizarre bounce wrong footed the defence and Ed Smithies gathered from deep to stroll through for an unopposed try.

Replacement winger, Danny McGee then scored Harrogate’s final try after a skilful backs build-up. This made it 12-34 with six minutes of normal time remaining but Rugby continued to fight back. A quickly taken penalty resulted in a try from a slick backs’ move and, well into injury time, they scored again. This time they turned over Harrogate possession and Harris’s pace again took him clear to gain Rugby a well deserved bonus point.

Rugby: Warner, Gregson, Marston, Reed, Harris, Green, Barker, Williams, Spokes, Pateman, Weaver, Munro, Saunders, Nash, Harris

Harrogate: Smithies, Parsons, Dench, Broadley, Bottomley (McGgee 40), R Davies (Wickham 55), Aspinall, Browne, Yorke (Spackman 70), S Davies (Sowrey 50), Spencer (Wilson 65), Boyle, Hewetson, Maslaveckas, Lewis

Referee: Andy Bickle (RFU)