Bournville 47 Harrogate 20

From an electric start, Harrogate raced into a 0-10 lead after seven minutes. Bournville came more into the game and the rest of the half was a more even contest with Harrogate retaining a narrow 17-20 lead at the break. The second half was a different story with Bournville scoring 30 unanswered points which included 2 tries when they had 2 players in the sin bin

A great Doc Doherty “take” from Bournville’s kick-off was followed by a searing line kick which was fumbled into touch to give Harrogate an attacking line-out. Danny Matthews broke quickly from the subsequent driving maul and passed to Sam Fox who left the defence flat footed for an under the posts converted try.

Bournville counter attacked but were turned over and concerted Harrogate attacks led to another attacking line-out. Bournville’s defence went offside and Fox’s penalty made it 0-10. Powerful Harrogate scrummaging maintained the pressure and a despairing high tackle gave Harrogate a straightforward penalty kick which unfortunately missed. A Harrogate line-out offence was penalised, a Bournville attacking line-out followed and Harrogate’s defence went offside. Bournville’s quickly taken penalty led to a Callum Thompson try converted by Mitch McGagham to make it 7-10.

Powerful Harrogate scrummaging forced Bournville into conceding a penalty. Doherty broke from good line-out ball and passed to Jonny Coser whose well timed pass led to Connor Miller outstripping the defence for a try, converted from the touchline. Harrogate’s pack was still dominating the set pieces and another Fox penalty extended the lead to 7-20 after half an hour’s play. This proved to be Harrogate’s final score.

Almost immediately, the home full back, Owen Williams broke, chipped ahead and gathered brilliantly to score a converted try. A long delay followed after a serious leg injury to home flanker Sam Sheppard. Harrogate were awarded a penalty in the final moments of the half but, after a long match officials’ discussion, the penalty was reversed and Bournville mounted a driving maul from which hooker, James Weaver crashed over for the final score of the half.

In the second half, Harrogate continued to rely on their hitherto forward domination and continued with driving mauls even when Bournville had 2 players in the bin. This tactic was unsuccessful and the apparent superior home fitness levels proved to be the key to what followed.

20 minutes into the half, McGaghan scored a converted try after quick line-out ball and this was quickly followed by an Ollie Dawkins try after a Harrogate defensive fumble. Continued home pressure forced Harrogate into conceding penalties and McGaghan scored 6 more points. Callum Thompson’s second converted try made the score 42-20 and, in the final move of the match, Ethan Walker scored following turnover ball

Bournville
Williams, Burrows, Ho, Wilson, Dawkins, McGhagan, Tibber, McArthur, Weaver, Smelius, Handy, Holliday, Sheppard, Montieth, C Thompson. Subs:- Fanning, Burgoyne, Jadwat, Coulson, Walker

Harrogate
Doherty, Edwards, Knowles, Cummings, Miller, Fox, Matthews, Baxter, Larder, Dennis, Brady, Hannam, Dodds, J Coser, D Thompson. Subs:- Yorke, Pettit, G Coser, McNab, Keith.