Yorkshire Inter-Club U15 Cup Round 2

Harrogate and Sandal U15s have a long history in the Yorkshire Cup going back to the first time this age group competed for the counties top competition honours.

Both reached the final in 2008 when U11's where Harrogate took the spoils and the two teams have locked horns on a regular basis ever since.

The expectation for the game was high and the nerves were on edge for both teams as the 2011 encounter kicked off. The weather had not been kind and the opportunity for fast free flowing open rugby was limited. The home teams coaches had emphasised the need for agressive defence and applying pressure in all aspects fo the game.

The attacking threat from Sandal is well known and Harrogate had to close them down at all opportunities. Harrogate's back row were up for the challenge and, after some early exchanges between the two teams, early pressure by Colunn Troy, David Rowbotham and Brdley Thompson brought dividends.

With Sandal not able to move the ball when in possession a spilled ball fell at the feet of Luke Gair who, using neat footballing skills, moved the ball forward towards the visitors line and made the vital final kick that pushed the ball over the Sandal line. Supporting his winnger well, Dominic Marsh pounced on the ball to score the first try of the quarter final.

The pattern of the game continued with with Scott Irvine grabbing his first of two tries sprinting to the corner to touch down. Building on excellent driving play from David Rowbotham the flanker made the ball available and scrum-half, Jack London, fed quick possession, won by the forwards, to feed Scott Irvine who was offering support on the short side to power over for a 10 - 0 lead.

Irvine was to bag his second after Olli Collingwood's tackle turned the ball over and Jack London gave number 8, Coluun Troy,who, showed a quick pair of hands, feed the ball to Irvine to head into the corner.

With Sandal scoring an early penalty the final scoreline of 15 - 3 was an impressive match against a Sandal team who were worthy of their position as one of the best teams in Yorkshire.

The final score coming just before half time when