Pat White, YRFU Competitions Secretary, said in the match day programme "Today sees the culmination of what is the largest rugby competition in England, if not the whole of the UK".

After a slightly nervy start to the game with Middlesbrough’s powerful pack dominating possession and territory, Harrogate’s patience in defence was rewarded when the forwards won turnover ball and attacked from their own half. The ball was passed out down the back line and went to winger Sam Barker who sprinted over for a try in the corner to put ‘Gate in front 5-0.

Spirits raised, Harrogate began to take control and when captain Jack Kennell took the ball on halfway he started off on a mazy run, sidestepping and fending off tacklers to score a brilliant solo try out wide to put his team 10-0 up.

Middlesbrough though responded after a period of strong pressure, Harrogate giving away penalties in defence and the ‘Boro forwards powered over the line to put the score at 10-5.

The last period of play of the first half was a closely fought affair, the Harrogate forwards admirably fronting up to the bigger Middlesbrough pack, holding their own in the scrum and taking the upper hand in the line-out. Eventually Harrogate made good use of possession in loose play and after gaining territory put Kennell through for his second try, which he duly converted.
The teams went into the dressing rooms ‘Gate leading ‘Boro 17-5.

Middlesbrough started the second half in much the same way as the first, this time making the pressure count in Harrogate’s half, resulting in another short range try from a penalty on the 10 yard line and bringing the score to 17-10.

Harrogate then started to get in their stride, looking to have scored down the left but the touch judge’s flag had gone up for a foot in touch. However not long after this, the ball again went out through the hands to wing Barker who touched down for his second and at 22-10 the Harrogate supporters were starting to believe…

Discipline though was causing ‘Gate to lose the territory game and once again after they were penalised in their own twenty two ‘Boro took advantage and steamed over to come back to 22-15.

In the heat of the last quarter with the mid-day sun beating down, Harrogate made their fitness count and the ball was sent out to eventual man of the match Sam Barker who went over out wide for his hat-trick and Harrogate stretched the lead to 27-15.

This was followed up by another training ground move which saw the ball passed through the hands down the back line, this time Barker assisting with a sweet pass to Eric Baguzienej on the loop and finishing in the corner. At 32-15 the appreciative Harrogate support were really getting excited but holding their breath with 10 minutes to go!

So far the backs had taken the glory in terms of scoring but the forwards work rate never let down and it has to be said that they provided an amazing platform for the speedsters, brilliant in the set piece against a heavier scrum, dominant in the line out, running hard and breaking the gain-line, tackling ferociously and providing turn over ball at the breakdown. The icing on the cake came toward the end of the match when second row Matt Wright broke through the ‘Boro defence, shaped to pass, dummied and then went over for a try between the sticks! Kennell converted making it 39-15 and the stands went wild as realisation set in for the ‘Gate supporters.

The Middlesbrough boys though never let their heads go down and kept their attack going, pinning Harrogate back in their 22 and scoring what was to be the last try of the match to make the full-time score 39-20.

On behalf of Harrogate RUFC I would like to thank Middlesbrough RUFC for a fantastic game, Hull Ionians for being wonderful hosts and Yorkshire RFU for organising the competition.

Richard Wendon
Harrogate U15s Team Manager

Harrogate Head Coach Dave Kennell said afterwards:

“Wow, what a brilliant day! So proud of the boys beating Middlesbrough 39 vs 20 playing a style of rugby which we've worked hard at. So pleased for the boys that they have finally got some reward for being one of the best sides in Yorkshire over the years, all the heartaches were worth it after all! Great also to see many people there yesterday supporting the team, that and the sun just made it a brilliant day.”

Harrogate Squad:
Noah Elberg, Ollie Henry, Angus Wilson, Matt Wright, Harry Thompson, Hugo Hayes, Alex Knight, Adam Brown, Ben Raubitschek, Ben Price, Jack Pogson, Jack Kennell, James Young, Eric Baguzienej, Sam Barker, Charlie Hudson, Tim Meynell, Tom Sharp, Connor Miller, Evan Thomas, Eli Wright, Jim Troy.

Middlesbrough Squad:
Jordan Murray, Ellis Jones, Joe Vanacore,Jack Pinkney, Thomas Wood, Rohan Brown, Ben Ramsden, Martin Quinn, Cai Ellis, Ross Easden, Rhys Petries, Brendan Hill, Tom Readman, Anthony Dyne, Josh Unthank, Sam Pearce, Sean Hatfield, Lloyd Kinnersley, Aiden Morris, Adam Franland, Joe Matthews, Tommy Lane, Nathan Dow.