Harrogate 46 – 22 Driffield
Venue: Harrogate
Date: Saturday, 18 October 2025

Harrogate delivered a commanding performance at home to secure a 46–22 victory over Driffield, securing five crucial league points.
The hosts wasted no time asserting themselves, with hooker Charlie Head crossing the line in the 7th minute to open the scoring from Gate’s key weapon, the driving maul. Unfortunately, Rory Macnab missed the conversion, but Harrogate maintained early pressure for the opening quarter.

Driffield responded with a penalty kicked by Napier in the 20th minute, narrowing the gap to 5–3. However, Harrogate quickly regained control with a second try from Head in the 25th minute, followed by a rapid-fire score from Amrit Sharma, running the length of the pitch just two minutes later. Rory converted Sharma’s try to stretch the lead to 17–3 at halftime.
Harrogate came out firing after the break. Tries from both returning, Junior Nuu and Kristen Dobson. Unable to gain a footing, Driffield conceded further tries by 10, Tom Stenne and 6, Will Hill between the 47th and 65th minutes, seeing Harrogate surge to a 41–8 lead, with Rory Macnab finding his range by adding two more conversions.

Driffield showed resilience in the final quarter, scoring twice and 10, Napier, converting both to bring the score to 41–22. But Harrogate had the final say as Director of Rugby, Jake Brady, scored his first for Harrogate since his return in the dying seconds of the game. With Macnab substituted, Tom Steene missed the final conversion, but the damage was done; the game ended 46 – 22.
Director of Rugby Jake Brady commented after the game, “I think on balance this was our best performance of this still young season. Driffield played a fast game, recycling the ball quickly, which at times tested our defence. They were unlucky not to take a bonus point from the game.
I was pleased with the variety we showed during the game. Using multiple ways to relieve pressure and build our own. We scored from set pieces, from close and long range, transition and by building the phases.

We did show discipline issues again for the second week running. A lot of which are self-inflicted. This is something we need to cut out in order to compete with the two top teams coming up.

The Aces take on league leaders next Saturday (25th October) away at Heath in a critical battle for the top of the table.
The next home game welcomes local rivals Ilkley, who are riding high at the moment and will look to spoil the party again like they did two seasons ago. Support for both games is vital to help the boys keep building the momentum.