Middlesbrough 54 vs 5 Harrogate

Following a good turnout at training the Sunday and Thursday previous and good numbers confirmed for the game it was disappointing that only 15 players arrived at Middlesborough. Not sure why this occurred but we must make sure it doesn’t happen again. Players who say they are available and don’t turn up can’t expect to play every week when there are games to play.

Anyway, back to Sunday’s game. As we all know Middlesborough are the reigning Yorkshire champions who are a test for any side they come up against. On Sunday ‘Gate were without a raft of players who were on duty at the Yorkshire development day, as were Middlesborough but they also have Durham County players who weren’t on a development day.

The game started badly and the first half went down hill thereafter. Middlesborough received the kick off and immediately went on the attack and following a missed tackle in the centre, scored under the posts.

After this ’Gate seemed to be in awe of the Middlesborough backs and proceeded to give them far too much room in every facet of the game.

Middlesborough must have thought it was Christmas and proceeded to run in a further 5 unanswered tries. The only positive from this half was the performance of the pack. They more than held their own in the scrum and had they competed with more commitment at the ruck they would have won a lot more ball for the backs.

At half time the coaches had a ‘few words’ with the ‘Gate team and the second half was a totally different game. The pack dominated for long periods and gave the backs a lot more ball to play with. At stand off, Alex Savage started to get to grips with the fast approaching Middlesbro defence and began to chip and kick more so they had to turn to defend.

With a little more experience and guile the ‘Gate backs would have profited from this tactic. As it was it was the opposition who opened the second half scoring with an opportunistic try coming from a ‘Gate handling error.

They scored again from a good run by their very quick full back who exploited loose tackling to go in under the posts. It was ‘Gate who closed the scoring with a good drive to the line by backs and forwards with Tom Morris being driven over under the posts.

The kick was somehow missed which typified the day for ‘Gate.

A lot of positives must taken form that second half performance. The players could easily have rolled over and been beaten by a cricket score, but they didn't. They dug in and took the play to Middlesborough.

A couple of mentions go to Bryn Kitching who was playing his first game after an horrific break to his arm at a pre season training session. His throwing at the line out was excellent and his hooking under pressure was faultless.

Harvey Merrin started in the second row leaping like a salmon to catch in the lineout and then deputised on the wing when asked to do so, making some telling tackles whilst there!

Robbie Kent tackled like a demon as did Alex Wyatt, both making try saving tackles on more than one occasion.

As has been said, a lot of positives to take into next weeks game against Richmondshire.

Match Report by Lawrence Crane