Match Report: Cleckheaton vs Harrogate
Final Score: Cleckheaton 17 – Harrogate 33
Harrogate delivered a commanding performance to defeat Cleckheaton 17–33 on a wet and windy day in West Yorkshire .
The match opened with Harrogate’s Amrit Sharma crossing the line for an early try in the 3rd minute, converted by Rory Macnab, giving Harrogate a 0-7 lead. Cleckheaton responded with a try in the 28th minute and a successful conversion a minute later, levelling the score at 7–7.
Harrogate regained control before halftime, with Skipper Sam Brady scoring a try in the 34th minute and Macnab adding the extras to make it 7–14. Cleckheaton received a yellow card just before the break, and Harrogate went into halftime with a narrow lead.
After a short break with neither side leaving the field, Harrogate started to extend their advantage. Early substitute Will Pritchard scored a try in the 49th minute, and Macnab’s reliable boot made it 7–21. Cleckheaton clawed back with a penalty kick and a converted try, narrowing the gap to 17–21 by the 58th minute.
However, Harrogate’s attack proved too much. Sam Brady added his second try in the 64th minute, again converted by Macnab, stretching the lead to 17–28. A flurry of substitutions followed, and Jacob Percival sealed the win with a final try in the 70th minute. Macnab missed the conversion, but Harrogate finished strong at 17–33.
Discipline was a challenge for Cleckheaton, who received two yellow cards in the second half. Harrogate’s second-half dominance was key, securing five away points and keeping the pressure on the top three in the league, who all remain unbeaten and have a perfect five-point record from the opening 4 games.
Next week’s game against Alnwick at Rudding Lane provides a key opportunity for the Gate to take a top scalp and narrow the gap at the top of the table.

Despite putting in another 80-minute shift, Director of Rugby, Jake Brady, was still able to reflect on the game:
Credit to Cleckheaton who made the game hard in difficult conditions. For a long period the game was in the balance.
Due to the weather the game wasn’t very expansive, however I feel like our defence was improved. We limited Cleckheaton’s go forward and frustrated them from building phases.
The set piece was a strength, our scrum and maul applied pressure. Once we got within short range of the line we have the players who can bludgeon their way over.
In the end the pressure told and we had most of the last 20 minutes our own way with a few Cleck lads in the bin.
Equally as pleasing was that this game was a double header with the Georgians running out against Cleckheaton 2s before the 1s. They won 0-60 and I was able to watch much of the game. There is a bank of players who have shown they are ready to play first team. I’m excited to see them take their opportunities.