Harrogate Ladies travelled to Bishop Auckland this weekend in search for a win to push them up from the bottom of the table, but Bishop Auckland were not going to make that an easy task. Both teams came out fighting from the moment of kick off, the defence on each side was solid and for the first 20 minutes play stayed centre in the pitch until a Harrogate lineout was stolen by Bishop Auckland to make a break for the try line.

With Harrogate's wall of a defence, they stopped Bishop but after coming in at the side of a ruck, Bishop earned a penalty on the 5 metre line. Harrogate was yet again quick up onto Bishop to stop any ground being made, but after a nasty injury for the Harrogate Fullback, Bishop Auckland were able to get the first try and the first points of the game after a tough 30 minutes. With a failed conversion, Harrogate continued their strong defence until the half time whistle.

When the second half started, play became scrappy from both sides, Harrogate with a few high tackles and Bishop Auckland with multiple closed fist hand off's going into the tackle and bad play in the ruck's. Both teams were warned however after constant foul play, the referee was forced to yellow card player on both teams.

With a play down on each side, Harrogate attacked hard and found the try line in the corner, after a failed conversion the score line was even.

Soon after Harrogate's first try of the match, it was their turn once more, with prop Leanne Edmondson making a break through the middle of the Bishop defence to make a fantastic run to the try line, stopped mere metres from the line. It was the Captain Caroline Lacks who came to take the ball on and dive over the try line to pull Harrogate ahead for the first time in the match. And with a conversion by number 8 Kirstie Butler, the score was strong at 5-12 in Harrogate's favour.

After the messy start in the second half, Harrogate picked things up, defending harder and attacking stronger, but with only minutes left of the game and a battle on the Harrogate try line, discipline wavered, and after numerous warnings, Bishop Auckland were given a penalty.

At the final whistle, the score was even between these tired teams at 12-12.

Harrogate Ladies and Bishop Auckland worked hard, showing a strong defence and a strong attack, neither side were taking things easy. Yet both team should be proud of how well they played. And now Harrogate can continue to strengthen and get the much needed points to climb the table.

Next up Harrogate face Acklam away on the 13th March.

Written by Steph Mallinson