It Ain't Over 'til It's Over

A 12.30 kick off, meant the home side benefitted from lots of extra support and they were very vocal.

That may have helped WPL who managed to edge the possession stats for the first 20 minutes.

From a Harrogate knock on, the referee allowed WPL advantage and they opened the scoring with a try, but were unable to convert.

Good Harrogate pressure form the restart took them towards their opponents try line, but another knock on halted progress.

The resulting scrum had Harrogate penalised and a quick kick and chase was well finished by WPL.

Half time 10-0.

The second half kick off had WPL go long and good pressure bought them a penalty in front of the posts, 13-0.

Harrogate then kicked into skills mode, with phase after phase of good forward power and the pacey backs using the downhill slope to their advantage.

Slick hands and Harrogate scored under the posts.

Easy conversion, 13-7.

The momentum having turned, Harrogate continued to push forward and the skills were on show when Harrogate burst through the WPL defence to score midway between the posts and the touchline.

13-12 with the conversion to come and only 3 minutes left on the clock.

The changing wind, that had been about for the previous hour, seemed to suddenly disappear and the conversion was very well taken !!

With only moments left and WPL throwing everything at 'Gate, it was a tense finish.

A West Park infringement allowed 'Gate to kick to touch and that was full time.

So Harrogate will meet York in the final on April 13th.

Match report by Neil Smith.

Photos courtesy of Wilbert Walsh from WPL

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/westparkleedsrufc/photos/west-park-v-harrogate-u-15-464055.html