Yorkshire Cup Round 1

On a heavy pitch after overnight rain, Harrogate were unfortunate to come out second to a strong Driffield side in this First Round match of the Yorkshire Cup. Harrogate tried to play more of a running and passing game despite the conditions, and perhaps paid the price with a late score from Driffield that settled the result.

Harrogate opened with an offside error from the kick off, but soon returned to their previous game pattern with the forwards putting pressure on the opposition, followed by a good run from Jonathan Ashman from full-back deep into the opposition territory after coming into the line on a switch pass.
Andrew Normand opened the scoring for the Harrogate when most of the players stopped for a whistle that came from the other pitch- Normand simply continued his looping run to cross the line in the corner, and George Hampson added the extras from the conversion.

There was then a bizarre moment from the referee when he marched Harrogate back three times for not retreating 7 metres, and Driffield were awarded a try after they took their third quick ‘tap and go’- however, many of the Harrogate team and visiting supporters doubted if the Driffield player had actually crossed the line.

Not to be out-done, Harrogate returned the compliment with a quick penalty of their own after more forward pressure – Joe Smith, Callum Cardwell and Jacques Haddleton driving on- with Hugo Tasker scoring after some neat passing from the Harrogate scrum-half and Fly-half. Hampson again completed the conversion.

Driffield again equalised in dubious fashion- Harrogate players Normand and Tasker looked to have held up the Driffield fly-half who had darted through the Harrogate defensive line from close in (in a saving tackle reminiscent of Chris Cuisiter for Scotland) – however, the referee gave the attacking player the benefit of the doubt and awarded the try.

The second half was an even affair, with both sides providing entertaining and exciting rugby for the supporters – in particular Henry Lennon finding room to exploit the left wing and Angus Reid putting in good tackling ‘hits’ in the midfield.

The players were undoubtedly feeling the pace of the game at 20 minutes each half, but Harrogate seemed to be in the ascendancy when the Driffield team put boot to ball to relieve pressure -after a fortunate bounce and catch by the Driffield wing, Harrogate gave away a penalty as they scrambled in defence. Driffield then took another quick tap to score in the corner and convert on the final whistle.