YORK U-16’s v HARROGATE U-16’s

A hat trick of tries from ‘Gate’s Luke Hudson spearheaded the win for Harrogate U16s away to a competent York side in perfect autumnal conditions on Sunday.

The hosts had the better of the opening exchanges and were pressing into ‘Gate territory when the visitors’ full back, Luke Hudson, broke through for an outstanding individual solo effort completely against the run of play touching down under the posts for Max Simmons to add the extras. Luke bagged his brace shortly afterwards by crossing the whitewash to round off a well worked move which defied the home side’s dominance.

Although Harrogate had a points’ advantage, they failed to gain the upper hand, even when York had been reduced to 14, and let winger Matt Joplin dive over on the end of fast hands through the back line which created the overlap. Ollie Neill converted and then added a penalty to close the gap to two points at the interval.

Whatever the visitors’ coach said at half time worked because Harrogate dominated after the break and ran in five tries beginning with ‘Gate’s man of the match, Alex Nicholls, who had moved from outside centre to hooker for the second half and who powered over from 12 yards out. This was quickly followed by a sublime pass from Fin Gray playing centre to set free Harry Parrish who does not fail to score from that range.

York defended resolutely but could not repel the swathes of attack when Luke Hudson scored his third. The last two tries were backs’ tries with one down each side of the pitch for balance. Ollie Harris down the right wing and Liam Kernoghan down the left. Both resulted from ball secured by the now dominant Harrogate forwards and unleashed through flowing moves and deft hands leaving Max Simmons only to notch up two more points for a comfortable 39 – 10 win.

Man of the Match - Alex Nicholls

York: Points: 10

Tries: Matt Joplin (1)

Conversions: Ollie Neill (1)

Penalties: Ollie Neill (1)

Harrogate: Points: 39

Tries: Luke Hudson (3), Alex Nicholls (1), Harry Parrish (1), Ollie Harris (1), Liam Kernoghan (1)

Conversions: Max Simmons (2)