Sandal came back strongly after the interval and had reduced the deficit to 18-15 when, with 20 minutes remaining, 30th birthday boy, Andy Boyde crashed over for a converted try and deny Sandal a losing bonus point.

An early penetrating, attacking kick from Doc Doherty led to Sandal going offside at the breakdown and Doherty’s penalty kick gave Harrogate a 3-0 lead. However, the big Sandal pack soon made their presence felt and a powerful run from 2nd Row Declan Thompson was halted just short of the goal line and Harrogate cleared. A period of Sandal pressure followed but it wilted as Harrogate’s well organized defence took control and it was soon Sandal who’s defence was being tested. Doherty was a class act at full back and the Merc Mercer/Mason Knowles centre combination is developing into a very effective unit. This led to challenging attacks from wingers Harry Barnard and Sam Parry but, of course, it all so much depended on creative half back play from warhorse, Danny Matthews and Harry Yates, the outstandingly gifted young stand-off. This combination increasingly outshone Sandal’s Andrew Miller and their vastly experienced, talented stand-off, Greg Wood.

Despite being significantly outweighed, Harrogate’s pack became increasingly dominant and continued to have the edge in the scrums even after Connor Ward’s early injury departure. Boyde’s combative play was a big feature with that of another old warhorse, Steve Maycock. Locks Sam Brady and Brandon Hannam made increasingly telling drives and experienced No8, Tim Heaton had another sound game complementing the dynamism of flankers, Jonny Coser and Martin Dodds.

Twenty minutes into the game, a Harrogate defensive turnover led to a Parry counter attack which was carried on by a forwards drive and Matthews darted through the defence for a try. Sandal continued to compete but a promising attack ended with another Dodds turnover and a Harrogate counter attack from which Knowles cruised through for an under the posts converted try.

The second half opened with determined Sandal attacks. They were awarded an attacking scrum from a mistaken referee knock-on decision and attacks developed from this. Skilfull Wood midfield play took him through a gap for an excellent individual converted try. This was soon followed by Harrogate losing possession behind well won ball and they then conceded a penalty from which Wood’s kick made it 18-10. Sandal then stole a Harrogate line-out and launched a counter attack which spread left with Declan Thompson in support to score and make it 18-15.

A Sandal scrum offence was penalised and “verbals” led to an extra 10 metres being awarded. Brady drove strongly from the attacking line-out and Mercer made a half break before feeding the rampaging Dodds whose break was supported by Boyde for a converted try. This proved to be the last score of the match and, although Sandal continued to compete, Harrogate kept control for a hard but well deserved win.

Harrogate: Doherty, Barnard, Knowles, Mercer, Parry, Yates, Matthews, Boyde, Maycock, Ward, Brady, Hannam, Coser, Dodds, Heaton. Subs:- Musetti, Rigby, Tasker

Sandal: Townend, Grainger, MacGregor, Ellar, Fawcett, Wood, Miller, Purcell, Norbury, Baxter, Declan Thompson, Austen Thompson, Elliott Thompson, Stewart, Carolan. Subs:- Booth, Jackson, Bedford.

Referee: Gavin Jones (North)

Match report by Bill Barrack