Yorkshire Cup Quarter Final

Yorkshire Cup quarter finals; no easy games, last year Harrogate lost out to Otley, this year unknown opposition from Sheffield. The game started with a bang from Harrogate, rucking really well, good back line moves, the team gelling well and dominated the game for the first 10 minutes. Perhaps looking back, a few missed opportunities at this point, was why the game unfolded as it did. Sheffield started to dominate after this first 10 minutes, scoring the first converted try, although Harrogate immediately hit back with a try from the kick-off thanks to Jack Barthorpe. So at half time 7-7.

It was during the second half Sheffield began to put everything together; dominating loose play, the back line had opportunity after opportunity to run and break through the inevitable gaps appearing in Harrogate's defence. Harrogate actually defended really well, forwards stuck at it and managed to fight back with honour, but there is a limit to a defence sometimes and Sheffield played well to score three good tries, with the final result a Sheffield win 28-7. Harrogate tackle count was 100% greater than Sheffield, so you can guess what the possession stats were.

Credit though where credit's due. This team has made it all the way through to the quarter finals of the Yorkshire Cup two years running; you young guys should be really proud of that. You are only just starting out on your rugby journey, full sized pitches next year, loads of space to run around and sparkle with a chance to show off your skills. Well done, and well played and good luck to Sheffield.

Squad: Jack BALL, Jack BARTHORPE, Luke BROADHURST, George HUMPHREYS, Jackson HOBSON, Eddie KEEN, Oliver DEANE, Will McCLUNE, Will SMITH, Sam THOMAS, Sam CONSIDINE, Ben HONEY, Joe WHITTINGTON, Max ELLACOTT, Jake MARSHALL, Tom WILKINSON, Thomas MASCIE-TAYLOR, Tommy COLTMAN

Report by Tim McClune