Whafedale vs Harrogate

The match was much closer and the two sides much more evenly matched than the final 26 – 0 score suggests. The improvement in the Wharfedale forwards can be measured when one considers that the last time these two sides met, Harrogate romped home 74 points to nil bagging 12 unanswered tries!

From the off, ‘Dale put ‘Gate under pressure and pinned them back in their own half. Each time ‘Gate looked to be on the attack ‘Dale’s superb kicking from hand won valuable territory. However, it was ‘Gate who opened the scoring with Harry Skelton being brought down just short of the line following a driving run and Miles Lloyd (playing full back for a change) carrying over from close range after superb follow up running.

Indeed, it was Miles Lloyd showing excellent awareness who bagged his and ‘Gate’s second shortly afterwards with a pick up and run down an empty 5 yard channel from the blind side of a scrum.

‘Gate’s next try was from skipper Max Simmons who broke two tackles and evaded others in an excellent solo effort while the first half was closed with a powerful drive from Ollie Harris diving over in the corner.

Miles Lloyd added the extras after the first three tries but this one, so close the touch line, fell just short into the driving wind and rain.

The weather conditions definitely worsened into the second half and although ‘Dale were playing into the wind they constantly threatened to score and for long periods camped out on the ‘Gate 5yd line only to have wave after wave of attack knocked back by ferocious defending from every single member of the ‘Gate team. Repeatedly, ‘Gate would break out and threaten to score only to be driven back to the extent that the second half was actually a nil nil draw.

The difference in the two sides today lay ultimately with the backs. Wharfedale’s forwards were rucking better than ‘Gate’s, both sets were about even in line out and mauling while ‘Gate had the upper hand in the scrums. However, when ‘Dale did win possession, they did not seem to know what to do with it. Harrogate, on the other hand, moved the ball out wide and often set up overlaps which were prevented from scoring only by ‘Dale’s superb tackling.

Lots of positives for both teams, coaches and supporters to take away from that one.

Man of the Match was Steve Townsend.

Harrogate: Points: 26
Tries: 4, Miles Lloyd (2), Max Simmons (1), Ollie Harris (1)
Conversions: 3, Miles Lloyd (3)

Wharfedale: Points: 0