Harrogate Ladies top the table after thrashing local rivals York RI on derby day

It was a fierce derby day on Sunday as local rivals Harrogate and York RI both battled to extend an unbeaten match record in their new league, National Challenge North East 1. With the top spot in the league table up for grabs a win was crucial for both teams and the Harrogate side were hungry for their first win over York.

It was a Harrogate kick off and York caught and carried the ball into the Harrogate half, instantly making ground. However, a penalty in Harrogate’s favour soon materialised and the visitor’s attack begun.

With a solid forward pack York’s defence was in full force but Harrogate managed to a make slow but steady advance. The visiting outfit kept possession and 8 minutes in Prop, Lizzy Mason took advantage of space in the defence and scored under the sticks. Mason’s try was converted by Full Back, Ailish Clear to secure 7 points on the score board for Harrogate.

As the first half continued the elements took their toll, Harrogate were having to work hard against the windy and wet weather. Though they adapted well considering, there was difficulties for both teams in the line outs which resulted in lots of change in possession and a series of scrums. However, Harrogate held their own and York struggled to make it anywhere near the try line due to a defiant Harrogate defence.

Half an hour after the first, a second try was on its way for Barnett’s side.
York conceded a penalty within the dangerous territory of their own 22. Fly Half, Rose Jay made a break for the line but was stopped just short. Scrum Half, Leah Birkin then reacted rapidly and moved the ball blind for Flanker, Lizzy Goddard-Taylor to receive. Goddard-Taylor drove and dived over the line to score and increased Harrogate’s lead to 12-0 just in time for the half-time whistle to blow.

York came back strong after the break and caused difficulties for their opposition from the re-start. Harrogate were pushed back towards their own try line by a determined attack. Three Harrogate defenders worked together to push a York attacker into touch then made the decision to go short in the line out which took the home outfit by surprise. This allowed Props, Mason and Barnicoat to charge through the line together. Birkin then took advantage of the bunched York defence and shipped the ball quickly to Jay. Jay ran a ring around the startled York defence and was off up the pitch. She was finally caught by a diving tackle courtesy of York’s Full Back. Luckily Centre, Evie Tonkin was in hot pursuit of her teammate, she readily received Jay’s offload and scored under the posts. Clear added the extras again to put her team ahead 19-0.

Upon the re-start York forced a knock on and hammered the Harrogate defence in attack. They couldn’t quite break through the line though, at which point the York Hooker took her chances at a drop goal. She successfully scored and got 3 points on the board for her team.

With 15 minutes to go, Harrogate reacted instantly to their well-placed kick off, the forwards regained possession quickly and saw the spaces in a scrambled York set up. It was Amber Barnicoat who rushed over the whitewash in response to York’s drop goal, 2 minutes after it was scored. Harrogate’s lead was increased to 24-3.

York were determined to get 1 in before the final whistle, after a relentless attack they succeeded and put the ball down over the line with 5 minutes to go. Though they added 5 points to their 3, Harrogate still lead 24-8.

The visiting defence was still working hard against York’s attack as the whistle blew for full-time.