Match Report: Harrogate vs Kendal
Final Score: Harrogate 22 – 20 Kendal
Venue: Harrogate
Competition: Regional 1 North East
On a dark and dreary day, drama started early with the Director of Rugby and Chairman of Harrogate battling flames that could have engulfed the whole clubhouse. Thanks to the help of Knaresborough Fire Brigade, the game got underway on time, but the drama was far from over.

First Half
The game opened with Kendal taking an early lead through a penalty from fly-half Moir (10) in the 5th minute, making it 0–3 and setting the tone for the day. Harrogate responded strongly with their trademark driving maul. Hooker Steve Maycock (2) crashed over for the first try of the match in the 11th minute, putting the hosts ahead 5–3 after the missed conversion.
Kendal regained control when Rogers (2) powered over for a try in the 18th minute, though Moir was unable to add the extras from a tight angle, leaving the score at 5–8. Penalties seemed easy, but both sides missed conversions, keeping the contest tight.
Kendal extended their lead through Moir’s reliable boot, slotting penalties in the 25th and 34th minutes to make it 5–14 at the end of the first half.

Second Half
The rain stopped, but the clouds didn’t clear, leaving much of the second half played in what felt like dusk. Harrogate made tactical changes in the break, but another penalty early in the second half (44th minute) pushed Kendal further ahead at 5–17, and at that stage, the visitors looked in command. Harrogate fought back with determination, a theme of this season. Miller (14) crossed for a try in the 48th minute, narrowing the gap to 10–17, though the conversion was missed again. The comeback gathered momentum when Brady (5) scored in the 55th minute, and this time Dobson (15) added the conversion to level the scores at 17–17.
Kendal briefly regained the lead through another Moir penalty in the 67th minute (17–20), setting up a tense finale and very little left on the clock.

Dramatic Finish (3 in a row for the Gate!)
With the clock in the red, Harrogate produced another late score. Skipper Sam Brady (5) powered over for his second try of the match in the 80th minute, sealing a remarkable turnaround at 22–20. The conversion was missed, but it didn’t matter; the home side claimed a thrilling victory and five league points. With Ilkley losing heavily away at Heath, Harrogate now move to 2nd with a 7-point gap behind the league leaders.

DOR Jake Brady said:
Kendal played the conditions very well, and it took us the full 80 minutes to take the lead and victory. After making some adjustments at halftime, we were able to apply more pressure, which resulted in points on the board. We need to learn why things didn’t go our way in the first half to avoid leaving so much for us to do in the second period.
Again, the team's self-belief and determination were impressive. Coming back from a decent deficit to take the full 5 points.