Billingham had led for most of the match but, with 5 minutes remaining, Olly Rosillo put Harrogate ahead with a try from a trademark jinking run. That seemed to be that but Billingham counter attacked and Martin Hopley’s second try restored their lead. Searing Harrogate backs attacks followed but an apparent scoring pass was intercepted, a scrum followed and the game was over.

Billingham knocked on Harrogate’s opening kick off leading to a scrum which immediately demonstrated Harrogate’s superiority in that department. More powerful Harrogate forward play followed with second rows, Sam Brady and Brandon Hannam driving strongly. Billingham were penalised and Harrogate opted for an attacking scrum but were themselves penalised. A Billingham line-out followed which was stolen by Martin Dodds leading to further waves of Harrogate attacks.

Billingham’s defence held out during this opening 15 minutes of Harrogate pressure. A stream of penalties against Harrogate took play into their half, they were penalised yet again and, totally against the run of play, Pete Evans’s kick put Billingham 3 points ahead. Almost immediately, Martin Dodds charged down an attempted Billingham clearance, their defence went offside and Sam Fox’s penalty kick levelled the scores.

An even period of play followed which tested both defences but Harrogate were having difficulty with Mr Doig’s interpretation of the laws and repeatedly conceded penalties. No8, Tim Heaton was yellow carded for “not rolling away” and yet another penalty conceded. Billingham spread the ball left and Martin Hopley took advantage of the extra spaced to squeeze over in the corner and put Billingham 8-3 ahead.

Though down to 7 men, Harrogate’s pack was still very much in control of tight play for the rest of the half in spite of still being unable to come to terms with the referee’s law interpretations.

After the interval, more Billingham attacks followed and Evans skilfully created an opening for Luke Wilson to score a converted try making the score 15-3. Harrogate countered strongly and set up an attacking line out inside the Billingham 22. The throw was adjudged to be squint Forceful Harrogate forward play continued and great counter rucking led to Billingham being penalised. The ball was spread left from a tap penalty and Brady crashed over to score and make it 15-8.

A huge Harry Yates line kick followed a strong Hugo Tasker break from defence and Harrogate were back on the offensive. Desperate Billingham defence was penalised but the kick narrowly missed. Still more pressure followed and Luke Edwards broke tackles to touch down. However, Mr Doig took it upon himself to over-rule the Touch Judge and a line-out followed. The Harrogate pressure continued and Harry Barnard’s pace took him through the home defence for a try to make it 15-13. Minutes later, Harrogate went 15-18 ahead from Rosillo’s 20 metres individual try.

Home stand-off Evans continued to orchestrate attacks with challenging cross kicks but Barnard brilliantly gathered one under extreme pressure and Harrogate cleared. However Billingham continued to press and, although there seemed to be a forward pass in the move, Hopley scored to restore the home lead. The Harrogate attacks continued but Billingham’s defence held out.

Billingham: Husband, Hopley, Kirkby, Wilson, Ross, Evans, Foley, Sunley, Foulds, Clark, Scott, Walton, Burns, Myers, Whinn. Subs:- Spoors, Gardner, AN Other

Harrogate: Rosillo, Barnard, Edwards, Fox, Doherty, Yates, Matthews, Ward, Larder, Maycock, Hannam, Brady, Tasker, Dodds, Heaton. Subs:- Martin, Driscoll, Knowles

Referee: Tom Doig (Northern).

Match report by Bill Barrack