Saturday 24 September 2022
Harrogate produced a much improved performance against another of the fancied sides in National League 2 North.
The initial stages had both sides playing a kicking game, hoping to gain territorial advantage. Neither side really got the upper hand, but following an electric run by Will Yates, a high tackle led to a yellow card for Robert Birtwell to give Harrogate numerical superiority.
Despite this, Sedgley spun the ball for Andrew Riley to score an unconverted try in the left hand corner. Once numerical parity was restored, Sedgley scored a further try through Tom Ailes, converted by Stephen Collins. Harrogate responded but could not score despite exerting forward pressure. Unfortunately, an interception by Rhys Henderson saw him go half the length of the pitch for Sedgley’s third try, again converted by Collins.
Harrogate attacked again and forced a drop-out from behind Sedgley’s line. However, Sedgley ended the half on the attack and from a series of penalties, scored their fourth and bonus point try from Valu Tane Bentley. This was converted by Collins to make the half time score 0 – 26.
Sedgley scored their fifth try through Jacob Tansey, and followed this with Andrew Riley collecting a high ball and chipping through. Harrogate’s defence recovered and snuffed out the danger.
Harrogate’s best period followed. A flowing passing move saw Oli Pearson touch down in the right hand corner for his first try for the Club. The forwards then took over and from a lineout, after a penalty, they drove over for Tom Baxter to score. Unfortunately, neither try was converted.
Sedgley was not finished. In the last 15 minutes, Gabriel Seriki scored from continued pressure, before John Blanchard went over following a kick and chase to make the score 10 – 41.
Harrogate pressed, but ended with 14 men as Pearson was yellow carded for a tackle in the air.
Teams
Harrogate: Scrase, Pearson, Mercer, Troup, Yates, Macnab, Olley, Elsayed, Baxter, Rokoyawa, Booth, Brady (capt), Jones, Hill, Spencer-Jones. Subs: Percival, Jackson, Dodds, Miller, Fox.
Sedgley Park: Riley A, Henderson, Glasse, Riley M (capt), Crampton, Collins, Tansey, Brooks, Maher D, Blanchard, Birtwell, James, Goodman, Bentley, Ailes. Subs: Downham, Chilvers, Crowe, Maher J, Seriki.
Referee: Peter Connor (RFU)
Tim Thorley
Harrogate RUFC
