They raised the tempo after the break and scored 2 more tries. However, despite constant pressure, they failed to secure a bonus point with a fourth one

Harrogate’s kick-off went dead and they were penalised at the resulting scrum. Jon Boden’s penalty attempt went wide and Harrogate started to dominate the midfield proceedings. Powerful Jake Brady drives set up continuous home attacks with Lewis Boyce in complete charge in the tight scrums. A scything Luke Edwards break seemed to have created a try but the move broke down with a knock-on. Leicester won good turnover ball on their line and set up a counter attack. Play was taken down to the Harrogate line and Robert Young drove strongly from behind an attacking scrum to put the Lions 0-5 ahead.

Harrogate continued to attack but good Leicester defence and crucial attacking errors kept the Lions ahead. Eventually, Harrogate won turnover ball from a Leicester drive and a Boyce half break created space for Callum Irvine to cut through the defence for an under the posts try converted by Joe Rowntree.

The second half started with an excellent Brady take and drive. Irvine continued the attack and, when the Lions went offside, Rowntree’s penalty extended the home lead. A Sam Bottomley break set up another attack and Edwards seized on an attacking chip to score in the left corner. The Harrogate pressure continued and, after persistent Leicester offside offences, Boden was sin binned. Rowntree’s penalty made it 18-5.

Boyce and Barry Frost both came close to scoring but the next try came from Irvine attacking from deep and again leaving the defence for dead as he danced through the midfield to score another converted try. A devastating, 40 metres Boyce run took him through and over defenders but he was illegally pulled down just short of the line and Devon Constant was awarded Leicester’s second yellow card.

The Lions’ defence deserved credit for holding out against constant Harrogate pressure for the rest of the match. Seemingly certain scoring passes were spilled by the home backs and some marginal refereeing decisions went in Leicester’s favour as Harrogate continued to press up front.

Harrogate: Rowntree, Bottomley, L Minikin, Frost, Edwards, Irvine, Matthews, Boyce, Yorke, Reaveley, Brady, Harvey, Wilson, Wood, Enslin. Subs (all used) Nyemba, Boyde, Smith, Morland, Leadley

Leicester Lions: Spittle, Constant, Donnachie, Cross, Veebel, Boden, Hogan, Spokes, Taylor, Murray, McLaurin, Knight, Poullett, Rudkin, Young. Subs (all used) Cave, Brown, Murdoch, Campbell, Nixon

Referee: Ian Bibey (South West)

Match report by Bill Barrack