Built on strong forward play, lineout dominance and sound defence, Harrogate deservedly earned their first league win of the 2022-2023 campaign and first victory since January.
Harrogate started the game on attack, but it was not until the 14th minute when forward pressure led to the ball being spun left for Will Yates to score. The second try followed shortly after. A lineout was won, and Tom Baxter, celebrating the birth of his baby boy, drove over and touched down. Unfortunately, neither try was converted.
Huddersfield countered. A fine break by Ed Barber was halted by an unfortunate knock-on. However from a series of scrums, they got their reward with Matt Law scoring his first try.
Harrogate attacked again, and though good defence from Huddersfield kept them at bay, another lineout win saw Will Hill go over unopposed, which Rory Macnab converted.
Huddersfield rallied as Harrogate appeared to ease off before half time. Law scored his second try, converted by Will Milner, who then kicked a penalty to make the half-time score Huddersfield 15, Harrogate 17.
In the second half, James Magee made a fantastic break into Huddersfield’s 22, and Pete Olley was on hand to score under the posts, converted by Macnab.
Harrogate continued to press and following further forward pressure, Sam Fox cross kicked for Magee to score the fifth try on his debut for the Club.
Despite plenty of endeavour and breaks from Fin Stewart of Huddersfield and Rupert Scrase of Harrogate, there were no further scores.
Harrogate goes into this weekend’s break on a high. The next game is on Saturday 15 October 2022 at Rudding Lane against Sheffield, kick off at 3pm. This is the Former Players’ Reunion, and we look forward to seeing as many friends and colleagues as possible.
Teams
Huddersfield: Workman, Catleugh, Barber, Milner, Stewart, Law, Wilson, Thompson, Stapley, Rollins, Pearson L, Jones T, Brown, Bradley (capt), Jennings. Subs: Dawson, Effiom, Davis, Potter, Knight.
Harrogate: Macnab, Magee, Scrase, Troup, Yates, Fox, Olley, Elsayed, Maycock, Baxter, Fenn, Brady (capt), Jones G, Hill, Spencer-Jones. Subs: Percival, Jackson, Dodds, Pearson O, Swanson.
Referee: Michael Harris (RFU)
