Stand-off, Sam Fox’s early injury departure was undoubtedly a factor but, although Harrogate had complete scrum domination, Wharfedale managed the heavy pitch conditions better.

Wharfedale started with waves of attacking rugby and full back, Harry Bullough made the extra man to squeeze over in the left corner for the opening try. Further home attacks broke down and, at the subsequent scrums, they were driven backwards by Harrogate and penalised. This proved to be the pattern of the match with tight head, Will Dennis the cornerstone of Harrogate’s scrum.

Wharfedale’s second try came from a succession of driving mauls with George Hedgley crashing over in the right corner to make it 10-0. Harrogate mounted attacks for the remaining 15 minutes of the half but were unable to penetrate the home defence.

From the restart, Wharfedale’s Josh Burridge made a powerful 40 metres run from defence to set up further home attacks. Five minutes into the half, a Jamie Guy cross kick was well taken by winger Scott Jordan who cut inside to give Guy a straightforward conversion and make it 17-0.

Harrogate’s dominant scrummaging continued to give them possession but they failed to breach the home defence. Wharfedale were penalised for going offside at a Harrogate Scrum and David Doherty’s successful kick made it 17-3. This proved to be the final score of the match.

Wharfedale: Bullough, R Davidson, Tincknell, T Davidson, Jordan, Guy, Woodhead, Howard, Stockdale, Asejevs, Hedgley, Rhodes, Baldwin, Wilson, Burridge, Subs:- Poole, Huck, Larkin, Kitching, Prell

Harrogate: Doherty, Barnard, Naylor, Minikin, Rosillo, Fox, Matthews, Ward, Yorke, Dennis, J Brady, S Brady,
J Coser, G Coser, Heaton. Subs:- Larder, Purkiss-McEndoo, Harvey, Edwards, Wickham

Referee: Mick Harris (RFU)

Match report by Bill Barrack