With a stalemate for the next 15 minutes and some heavy work defensively from both sides, it was Harrogate who recieved the next penalty, within Cheltenham's danger zone.

With the try line in sight, a seemingly unstoppable Harrogate rolling maul made its way over the line as the visiting defence splintered away.

Though the whole pack were involved in the impressive forwards try it was second row, Annie Lyles who found herself at the bottom of the pile.

Somehow the following conversion bounced off the left post to put Harrogate ahead by only 2 points, making the score 5-3.

After the restart, Harrogate's heads were high and they seemed to be on a roll.

However, some huge hits were put in by Cheltenham who were quick to pick up the loose ball whenever they could. Harrogate's line speed put a stop to their progression up the pitch and before long the pressure became too much, the home side was back in possession.

The forwards took it in turns to run the ball in hard, with ground made by Amy Battel, Christine Pratt and Lauren Clarkson. Next up second row, Charlotte Warriner made a break before the ball was bounced out to the backs.

Scrum half, Freya Wilde shipped the ball out to the back line quickly. The ball crossed the whitewash in the arms of Alex Wallace who touched down with ease.

The score was 10-3 just as the interval approached.

Quickly after the whistle blew for the start of the second half Harrogate won a scrum, which the forwards held strong.

It was off the back of this that captain, Rose Jay scored a sensational try. With a dummy to the left, she skipped through the defence before spinning over the try line to score.

Wallace kicked over the extras to make it 17-3.

With a line out on Harrogate's 22, Cheltenham laid on the pressure as they made it within dangerous distance of the Harrogate line.

Big hits flew in from Battel, Lyles and Amber Barnicoat before the home side conceded a penalty allowing Cheltenham to kick within range once again. With a successful second kick, the score was 17-6.

Almost immediately followed a third penalty kick, which was again booted over with extreme accuracy by the visitors. They increased their points to 9.

Cheltehnam knock on from the resultant restart kick, tactically placed by Wilde.

When the visitors were in possession again, they were forced backwards, finding themselves attacking on their own try line. Pressure from the Harrogate forwards was soon to pay off as Pratt managed to counter. She reached over to the score herself.

Wallace again added the extras and the final score was 24-9.

Player of the match performances were awarded to Olivia Almond: for a display of exceptional skill at full back during her first appearance for the 1st XV this season, to Charlotte Warriner: for stand out performances in attack over the past couple of games and to Captain Rose Jay: for her control of the game and fancy footwork.

With the league leaders beaten, Harrogate move up to second in the Championship North 1 table. A week off pends for the 1st XV before the team travel to Lichfield for their second meeting of the season next week.