It turned out that Wirral were in the same situation and Harrogate’s win put them into 2nd place in the League. At times, they certainly fell foul of the referee’s interpretation of the Laws and, at one stage in the second half, only had 12 players on the field to successfully withstand Wirral’s attempts to get on the score sheet.

After an edgy start, a powerful Sam Brady run was eventually checked and Wirral came into the breakdown from the side. Sam Fox’s successful penalty kick put Harrogate 0-3 ahead and was the start of a 100% goal kicking success rate for him. Further Harrogate forward pressure followed with hooker, Tom Driscoll well to the fore so it was fitting that he drove over for the first converted try after 17 minutes. A Wirral high tackle ended the next Harrogate attack and the penalty led to a skilfully constructed backs attacks from which Fox scored. Still more supercharged backs play followed to create a bit of space for Doc Doherty on the right wing. His pace and guile took him clear of despairing attempted tackles for a 30 metres “under the posts” try to make it 0-24 at half time.

To Wirral’s credit, they made a determined effort to get back into the game in the second half. The efficient Harrogate defence contained their attacks but a line-out “steal” was adjudged to be illegal and Brady was despatched to the sin bin. More home attacks were successfully defended though they conceded a spate of penalties in doing so. Oli Rosillo set up a counter attack from deep which led to an attacking scrum. Harrogate were penalised at the scrum but stole the subsequent Wirral line-out and skilful forwards inter passing led to a 15 metres try from prop, Dom Musetti. After the game, he explained that he thought he was making a dummy run when the ball popped into his hands.

A great Fox cross kick was brilliantly taken by Doherty and the attack was carried on by Brady and replacement forward Brandon Hannam. Jonny Coser and the indefatigable Martin Dodds made further inroads to unload to Luke Edwards who scorched over for a 20 metres try. A spate of yellow cards against Harrogate followed and, most unfortunately, Edwards was red carded for instantly retaliating to a Wirral assault. Down to 12 men, Harrogate not only defended prodigiously but set up telling counter attacks. The game’s final score was a Brady try from yet another well controlled driving maul.

Wirral: Brogan, Connolly, Williams, Stevens, Gidman, Murray, Stead, Yarker, Gratton, Higginson, Tyson, Long, Reeves, Parry, Pearl. Subs:- Hughes, Warren, Baker

Harrogate: Rosillo, Doherty, Mercer, Fox, Edwards, Yates, Matthews, Boyde, Driscoll, Musetti, Brady, Harvey, Dodds, Coser, Heaton. Subs:- Tasker, Hannam, Rigby

Referee: Ben Moore (Northern)

Match report by Bill Barrack