BackSat 17 Jan 2026 · Regional 1 North East
Alnwick
Harrogate 1st XV
17
8
Harrogate Stumble Again Away to Alnwick
Mark Garrett18 Jan - 11:44
An opportunity to cement their play-off slot slips away in the tight contest up the A1
Match Report: Heath RUFC vs. Harrogate RUFC
After a home postponement against Cleckheaton, the Ace’s first trip out in 2026 was the longest bus ride to third-placed Alnwick RFC, with the task of cementing their place in the top play-off slot and keeping the pressure on league leader Heath.
First Half
Harrogate struck the first blow of the afternoon. In the 3rd minute, Dobson (13) slotted a penalty to put the visitors 3–0 ahead.
Harrogate continued to apply pressure with most of the position and territory; however, on the first trip in the Harrogate half, Alnwick secured the first try with the extras added, moving the score to 8 to 3
Still dominating territory and possession, Harrogate squandered opportunities for points in the opposition half, only for Alnwick to make it up the other end and secure their second try, giving a 14 – 3 lead as the conversion was made. A further penalty, 5 minutes later, extended the lead to 14 points, and Harrogate was in desperate need of a score before the half.
Before halftime, Harrogate made changes with Gilmartin replacing Richardson and Harrison replacing Percival.
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Second Half
At halftime, Harrogate made changes with Richardson replacing Gilmartin and Percival replacing Harrison.
Harrogate started the second half with renewed energy. Their persistence paid off in the 50th minute, when Maycock (2) grounded a try to reduce the deficit to 17–8.
The resulting conversion attempt from Dobson was missed in leaving Harrogate outside of taking anything from the game, and work to be done.
Harrogate introduced Horberry for Wilson around the 59-minute mark to add some energy to the breakdown, but they continued to fail to find a footing in the game.
On the 70-minute mark, Alnwick had a chance to stretch their lead, but their penalty attempt was unsuccessful.
Another substitution followed in the 72nd minute, with Harrison coming back on for Maycock. The pressure built on the gate, and a minute later, Harrogate suffered a setback when Sebouai was shown a yellow card, forcing them to finish the match with 14 men and without further score.
Taking nothing from the game allowed Alnwick to change places with Harrogate and take control of the play-off positions while Heath extended their lead further with a 5-point win away to Balydon. Harrogate face bottom club Cleckheaton in the rearranged home game on the 24th January
After a home postponement against Cleckheaton, the Ace’s first trip out in 2026 was the longest bus ride to third-placed Alnwick RFC, with the task of cementing their place in the top play-off slot and keeping the pressure on league leader Heath.
First Half
Harrogate struck the first blow of the afternoon. In the 3rd minute, Dobson (13) slotted a penalty to put the visitors 3–0 ahead.
Harrogate continued to apply pressure with most of the position and territory; however, on the first trip in the Harrogate half, Alnwick secured the first try with the extras added, moving the score to 8 to 3
Still dominating territory and possession, Harrogate squandered opportunities for points in the opposition half, only for Alnwick to make it up the other end and secure their second try, giving a 14 – 3 lead as the conversion was made. A further penalty, 5 minutes later, extended the lead to 14 points, and Harrogate was in desperate need of a score before the half.
Before halftime, Harrogate made changes with Gilmartin replacing Richardson and Harrison replacing Percival.
________________________________________
Second Half
At halftime, Harrogate made changes with Richardson replacing Gilmartin and Percival replacing Harrison.
Harrogate started the second half with renewed energy. Their persistence paid off in the 50th minute, when Maycock (2) grounded a try to reduce the deficit to 17–8.
The resulting conversion attempt from Dobson was missed in leaving Harrogate outside of taking anything from the game, and work to be done.
Harrogate introduced Horberry for Wilson around the 59-minute mark to add some energy to the breakdown, but they continued to fail to find a footing in the game.
On the 70-minute mark, Alnwick had a chance to stretch their lead, but their penalty attempt was unsuccessful.
Another substitution followed in the 72nd minute, with Harrison coming back on for Maycock. The pressure built on the gate, and a minute later, Harrogate suffered a setback when Sebouai was shown a yellow card, forcing them to finish the match with 14 men and without further score.
Taking nothing from the game allowed Alnwick to change places with Harrogate and take control of the play-off positions while Heath extended their lead further with a 5-point win away to Balydon. Harrogate face bottom club Cleckheaton in the rearranged home game on the 24th January
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