Sheffield 21 Harrogate 10
Saturday 28 January 2023

In what was arguably the best performance of the season so far, full of intensity and endeavour, Harrogate unfortunately did not get what they probably deserved from their trip to Abbeydale.

Harrogate started the game on the attack, but Sheffield countered and only a knock on close to the line stopped them from taking the lead. Excellent Harrogate defence came to the fore, but Sheffield was not to be denied and their pressure led to Will Hodgson converting his own try.

Harrogate responded almost immediately. Rory Macnab kicked a penalty from in front of the posts on the 22 metre line to make the score 7 – 3.

With quarter of an hour gone, Sheffield stretched their lead. Harrogate pushed them off their ball, but conceded a penalty when the scrum was reset. Sheffield quickly ran the ball left and Cameron Catleugh went over for a try converted by Hodgson.

Harrogate once again showed forward dominance, winning the ball against the head, and attacking Sheffield. However, a deft kick through went dead, much to Sheffield’s relief.

In the 27th minute, Will Yates gathered the ball in midfield, and made an excellent break down the left, leading to a penalty. Unfortunately, Harrogate could not capitalise.

Undeterred, Harrogate continued to run the ball and exert forward pressure. However, they were kept out by strong Sheffield defence and ended the half 14 – 3 down.

The second half was much the same as the first with Harrogate attacking. Sam Fox ran through early on, with the move ending in a yellow card for Sheffield’s captain, Robert Fawdry. With a numerical advantage, Harrogate’s forwards won the ensuing lineout and their pressure led to captain Sam Brady driving over for a try converted by Macnab.

Sheffield then showed their forward prowess in a series of lineouts. Eventually they ran the ball right and Alfie Kimpton crossed for another try converted by Hodgson, with just under 25 minutes left.

Harrogate continued their intensity to the end, with all backs and forwards to the fore. Martin Dodds thought he had scored when a Sheffield clearance was charged down, but this did not stand. Despite continued pressure, Harrogate was unable to get the score deserved, and went down 21 – 10.

Next week’s match, and hoping for a much needed win, is a rearranged fixture against bottom of the table, Blaydon. Kick off at Rudding Lane is 2pm.

Teams

Sheffield: Kimpton, Catleugh, Douglas, Smith, Hooper, Posa, Hodgson, Whitney, Graham, Hicklin, Clayden, Parsons, Fawdry (capt), Adcock, Burrows. Replacements: Lonsdale, Rogers, Crapper, Hignell, Fisher.

Harrogate: Macnab, Raubitschek, Rawlinson, Troup, Yates, Fox, Olley, Elsayed, Maycock, Baxter, Simmonds, Brady (capt), Dodds, Hill, Spencer-Jones. Replacements: Jackson, Walsh, Jones, Derbyshire, Buckley.

Referee: Michael Harris (RFU)

Tim Thorley
Harrogate RUFC
30 January 2023