Malton & Norton 10 - Harrogate 16

After yet another enforced lay off caused by the bad weather, Harrogate Colts faced a difficult game away at current league leaders Malton and Norton. Both sides played with similar high levels of speed, intensity and skill and although scoring opportunities were quickly stopped by bone crunching defence, the game was an exciting spectacle. It was Harrogate who opened the scoring when man of the match Joe Rowntree converted a penalty from long range 0-3. Malton then responded with their best move of the game started with a darting break from their elusive scrum half and followed by good support play which saw them cross for a converted try 7-0. A second long range penalty by Joe Rowntree made the score 7-6 at half time.
The second half began with both sides scoring from penalty kicks 10-9 and as the game progressed Harrogate’s powerful pack began to take a strangle hold on possession. Rich Stevenson had his best game of the season winning nearly all the line out ball, and the set scrum gave a steady platform to release the skillful Harrogate threequarter line. Stand off Chris Hart made several strong runs deep into Malton territory causing the home defence to be pulled into mid field. Chris then saw his opportunity to take the ball wide where he linked with Noel Minikin who beat his man to score in the corner. Joe Rowntree converted from the touch line to take the score to 10-16.
Harrogate could not build on their forward dominance since the intense physical nature of the game saw several injuries leading to uncontested scrums. With an injury to speedy Conor Harris Harrogate were forced to make changes to their back line. Before the game even started the back line had been shuffled after Luke Roberts was ill on the journey to Malton. Once Conor Harris limped off, and with only a prop on the bench, Gate were forced to play out the game with a back three consisting of a hooker, and two flankers! Consequently the last quarter of the match became a demonstration of the Colts ever improving and organised defence to prevent any further scores and secure an excellent league double over Malton.
This Harrogate Colts side have had several players gaining representative honours and the latest notable achievements have come with Joe Rowntree and Luke Edwards recently being called into the Harrogate first team to play in National League Two. Reports suggest they acquitted themselves extremely well during the games but are on a steep learning curve in terms of post match activities!