Harrogate battle to victory !

Sunday 12th December – Yarnbury vs Harrogate. Harrogate won 12 – 14.

Man of the Match – Josh Pomfret

Tackler of the Match – Olly Bryant

2014 began with a very hard lesson against Wetherby and the boys needed to bounce back quickly to regain the momentum they have been building in recent months.

Yarnbury made the bold decision to keep the fixture, despite the frozen pitches and I think, despite the cold hands, the boys will now be glad they were able to prove themselves again.

The resolve and the determination were back and the forwards immediately began driving in the rucks to provide more solid ball to the backs. Away from the rucks, they supported well; looking to get to the next breakdown, with Ethan, Myles and Maddie doing a lot of the donkey work. At the same time, the tackling was a huge improvement on last week, with Will and Olly Bryant, in particular, putting in necessary hits – including one try saving hit by Olly.

Our first try came from good forward pressure keeping us in the Yarnbury half and eventually Connor managed to get over following some solid blindside movement from ruck. Olly Bennett converted.

Harrogate continued to ruck and tackle well, with some very solid scrums and lineouts. However, Yarnbury managed to break away and went down the wing, where a familiar lack of tackles let them in for their first try, which they converted.

But Harrogate struck back, with some of the best centre play seen all season from Josh, Harry Wilkinson and Harry Willson. The three enjoyed some very strong, direct runs through their midfield – giving the forwards a platform to hit. Jonty also held firm at the back and went on some strong runs from deep, whilst Jack kept the line flowing at all times – despite plenty of pressure.

Following another scrum close to their line, Olly Bennett went blind, drew the defense and passed to Alistair who went over for another try this season. Olly converted.

Yarnbury came back, following some indiscipline from Harrogate and scored from a penalty, close to our try line – wholly against the run of play. Fortunately they missed the conversion and the boys enjoyed the sound of the final whistle.