It was KL’s big, powerful side against a more mobile Harrogate and the visitors opened the scoring to take an early lead. Harrogate quickly equalised and from then on their superior fitness and handling skills opened the floodgates for a comprehensive 9 tries to 1 victory

After early KL pressure, Harrogate’s Hugo Tasker broke strongly from defence to set up a counter attack but a knock-on ended the move. A well worked KL move followed and Dave Barton was put into space for a fine try converted by Mike Fearon. Harrogate responded with a series of driving mauls at which the KL defence was repeatedly penalised but Tom Driscoll eventually powered over with Sam Fox’s conversion levelling the scores.

The pattern of Harrogate attacks continued with the KL defence being repeatedly penalised. Incisive running from Harry Barnard, Fox, Matt Lansdall and Sam Parry was well supported by Harrogate’s rampaging back row. The pressure had to tell and, after 38 minutes, Jonny Coser burst through for a converted try. That seemed to be it for the half but in the dying moments Barnard supported a Parry break to score and make it 19-7 at the break.

A searing Lansdall run opened the 2nd half and the pressure mounted. Eventually, an attempted KL clearance was charged down by Driscoll who gathered and sprinted 20 metres for a converted try. This sort of thing is against the front row union rules but it proved to be infectious as a powerful Dom Musetti run followed, scattering defenders like ninepins. A Danny Matthews break was then supported by Oli Rosillo who put Lansdall away for another converted try.

The concerted Harrogate pressure continued and was increased when Andy Boyde came off the bench. Forward drives continued to recycle the ball till a Phil Wickham pass put Lansdall away for a dazzling run and another converted try. A drive from a line-out then resulted in Driscoll’s hat trick try and more great backs play led to a Parry converted try.

KL continued to compete at every opportunity and Scott Armstrong showed his undoubted class with a fine individual consolation try. However, Harrogate still had the last word when a Matthews run opened up the defence and Sam Brady crashed over for the game’s final converted try.

Harrogate: Rosillo, Lansdall, Barnard, Fox, Parry, Matthews, Wickham, Martin, Driscoll, Musetti, Brady, Hannam, Dodds, Tasker, Coser. Subs:- Boyde, Cummings, Doherty

Kirkby Lonsdale: B Walker, Armstrong, Ward, Barton, Ramwell, Fearon, Kaye, D Thompson, Armistead, Briggs, Tomlinson, J Thompson, Rogers, J Walker, Corrie. Subs:- Kyle-Clay, Galbraith, Pearce

Referee: Michael Hurdley (North)

Match report by Bill Barrack