Match Report: Sandal vs Harrogate Rugby Club
Final Score: Sandal 31 – 42 Harrogate
Venue: Sandal
Date: 6th December 2025

First Half
Gate visiting seems to be the catalyst for sides playing their best, and yesterday’s trip to Sandal was no different. The game started with and energised Sandal on the front foot, applying early pressure and earning their reward in the 12th minute when they crossed for the opening try. They added the extras to make it 7–0, and Harrogate faced a nervous start.
Harrogate responded quickly. In the 15th minute, winger Sharma (11) finished a well-worked move to score, and full-back Dobson (15) slotted the conversion to level the scores at 7–7.
Both sides battled hard for territory, but Sandal regained the lead just before halftime when they powered over for a try in the 39th minute. The conversion attempt drifted wide, leaving the score at 12–7 at the break and Gate with plenty to do in the second period.

Second Half
The second half exploded into life. Harrogate were awarded a penalty try in the 42nd minute, swinging the momentum their way and putting them ahead 12–14. Sandal’s woes were compounded as a yellow card followed the referee's decision to award the try. Harrogate capitalised on the numerical advantage with a flurry of scores:
• Maycock (16) crossed in the 46th minute, converted by Dobson (12–21).
• Hill (8) added another try at 52 minutes, again converted (12–28).
• Dobson himself scored and converted in the 55th and 56th minutes (12–35).
• Miller (14) finished a sweeping move in the 58th minute, with Dobson maintaining his perfect kicking streak (12–42).
At this point, Harrogate had racked up 35 unanswered points in a devastating 20-minute spell.

Late Fightback
To their credit, Sandal refused to roll over. They struck back with a try in the 62nd minute, which was converted, closing the gap 19–42.
Sandal scored twice more in the 70th and 79th minutes, converting one of them to close the gap to 31–42, and Harrogate regretted they had not been more ruthless 20 minutes before. However, despite the late surge, Harrogate’s earlier dominance proved decisive, and 5 points were secured.

Jake Brady (DOR)
We are pleased to take maximum points from the game. Sandal fought hard and had us under pressure in the first half.
There was a 20-minute period just after halftime when we executed and took our opportunities. That was enough to make the game ours. The pressure told in the first half, and a mounting penalty count resulted in a yellow card for sandal. While they were down to 14, we did the damage.
I was very pleased with our scrum and driving maul which have been a weapon for us all season and again produced fruits. Sandal were game throughout and well deserved their four try bonus point.

The Georgians also produced a winning display against Sandal 2s. Pressure for places is high, as is the momentum behind the club.

With the first half of the league complete, Heath failed to secure the bonus point from bottom-placed York. The deficit stands at 6 at the turn, and everything is to play for.