Harrogate 31 - Darlington 10

For the final league game of the season Harrogate faced a strong Darlington side who used short passes and good support play amongst their powerful forwards to test the resolve of the home side and overcome the wet and greasy conditions. Having held Darlington for the first quarter Harrogate began to take control and dominate both possession and field position. Harrogate's first two tries were scored in similar fashion with Darlington clearance kicks being charged down and Conor Harris and then Rich Stevenson touching down, with Joe Rowntree converting the second try to make the score 12-0. Harrogate confidence grew and even in poor conditions they were able to show exciting running skills and good forward support play with the ball being stolen and then passed between forwards and backs until the flying Josh Adamson crossed in the corner with the final play of the half. Joe Rowntree produced the kick of the day to collect the extra points and make the half time score 19-0.
Soon after the start of the second half Harrogate backs showed off their skills and only a desperate tackle by Darlington defenders pushed Noel Minikin over the side line but from the resultant line out Jon Hicks marked his promotion to captain by stealing Darlington possession and barging his way over the line. Poor discipline led to a penalty being moved closer to the Darlington line and it was the Harrogate forwards who produced their own moment of magic with a line out move creating the half chance for the Yorkshire Colts captain Josh Igoe to score Harrogate's final try (shortly before learning why a gum shield is an essential piece of kit having had his front teeth re-arranged a few minutes later!). Joe Rowntree again converted. Darlington returned to close forward play and too late in the game crossed the Harrogate line for two unconverted tries to make the final score 31-10.
With this win and bonus point for scoring five tries Harrogate top the division and with the teams below them waiting to complete their programmes can finish no lower than fourth, an excellent performance of which players and coaches should be proud and receive the congratulations of all of the supporters who have seen this team develop.