Last match of 2019 stolen from Harrogate Ladies by West Park Leeds in the last 30 seconds

With the previous Sunday against Barnsley acting as a warm up act for the most important match of the season so far for Harrogate Ladies, they were more ready than ever to take on West Yorkshire rivals and reigning Champions of Championship North, West Park Leeds.

The game kicked off in freezing temperatures on a muddy pitch and Harrogate followed their kick deep into West Park territory, laying immense pressure on in defence.

The visiting outfit forced an error and won a scrum within sight of the sticks. Due to dominance in the scrum Harrogate won a penalty, opting for the sticks.

With an unsuccessful kick in the wet and windy conditions, the game restarted and Harrogate were in possession for some time before a West Park scrum.

West Park's attack was cut short however and Harrogate won a line out in prime view of the danger zone. Hooker, Maisie Barnett executed the throw well and was there to retrieve the throw and start the phases.

West Park replied with an interception which forced Harrogate to track back right into their own half. West Park were stopped in their tracks though and some forceful collisions in the tackle area and rucks followed.

The home side were slowly but surely making ground before Harrogate replied with their own interception in the form of winger, Anna Hamilton.

Scrum half, Freya Wilde kicked to clear and even though West Park's winger caught it clean she was pushed into touch by Hamilton to ensure the line out.

Prop, Amber Barnicoat powered through off the line out before the home side won a penalty and opted for touch. This choice backfired though and West Park knocked their own penalty into touch, causing another Harrogate line out which was successfully taken by number 8, Rianna Manson.

The first half finished with the score still at 0-0 and both teams head to toe in mud.

With no changes at half time for either team the intensity was kept up, even in the blistering conditions. Manson won another line out before West Park gained some possession again.

Huge tackles flew in from the back row and centres with numerous knock ons caused, possession was mixed for some time and things were very tense.

Wilde and Captain, Rose Jay mixed things up to throw West Park off resulting in Harrogate making some metres with lines run by Sarah Foster through the centre by Sarah Foster and Nieve Jones.

With the final whistle in sight some changes were made on the Harrogate side and Charlotte Warriner used her strength to obliterate through the centre, headed for the sticks, before three West Park defenders took her down. Flanker, Lauren Clarkson and Chrissie Pratt were there to recycle the ball and ensure Harrogate moved Forward though.

The last minutes of the game involved some heavy defence Harrogate who were pushed back towards their own line before West Park managed to sneak through and find the overlap, just managing the keep the ball in the pitch.

The kick was unsuccessful but the 5 points scored in the last 30 seconds were enough to take the match away from Harrogate.

Player of the match performances were awarded to Annie Lyles for her consistent reliability in both the tackle and attack, to Anna Hamilton for an excellent performance on the wing and to Sarah Foster for the trouble she caused West Park in her line speed and running lines.

There is nothing but pride for the Harrogate Ladies from the management and coaching team, after such a display of rugby against reigning league champions two years in a row.

To be within winning distance at the close of 2019 really highlights how far the team have developed yet again, already this season. We think it's going to be a pretty exciting 2020 for the team, thank you for all of your support!