Saturday 26 October 2024 – Although there is a long way to go in the season, this was a much-anticipated bottom of the table clash. Enterprising rugby saw both sides score 5 tries and Sheffield Tigers emerge with their first win of the season.
Tigers struck first when William Archer drove over from a line-out in the 5th minute for an unconverted try. Gate responded in the 9th minute when Kristan Dobson broke in the 22 and ran in for Charlie Metcalf to convert.
Tigers’ response was immediate as 2 minutes later, following a chip over in midfield that was caught and passed right, James Norman crossed and Mark Ireland added the extras. Not to be outdone, Gate re-took the lead in the 17th minute. Having forced Tigers to concede a goal-line drop-out, Gate eventually went over for a Charlie Head try and Charlie Metcalf conversion.
Harrogate was penalised in the 27th minute for holding on, enabling Mark Ireland to kick the penalty that put Tigers back in front. Shortly after, William Baker produced a 50/22 to Gate’s 5-metre line. Gate knocked on at the line out and from the resulting scrum, Thomas Calladine scored for Mark Ireland to convert.
However, the try of the match came in the 35th minute. Tigers won the re-start from Calladine’s try, and took the ball back to Gate’s line. Gate turned it over and Kristan Dobson ran 90 metres for his second try that Charlie Metcalf converted.
Tigers had an opportunity to extend their lead as time ran out in the first half, but the penalty attempt was missed.
Gate made a couple of interchanges at half-time, with Junior Nuu coming on for his debut. This appeared to have the desired effect as Gate took the lead shortly after with a bonus point try through Jacob Percival. Unfortunately, the conversion attempt hit the post and bounced safe.
Tigers scored tries in the 52nd minute through Louis Redfern-Brown and William Baker in the 64th who forced himself over in the right-hand corner, although only the first was converted. However, despite Steve Maycock getting Gate’s 5th try and Oli Toomey converting with 8 minutes remaining, Tigers held on to secure a one-point win.
Harrogate has no game next week giving the players a well-deserved break, and return to action on Saturday 9 November when they travel to Hull Ionians, kick-off at Brantingham Park is 2pm.
Teams:
Harrogate: Metcalf, Miller, Dobson, Brook, Chell, Toomey, Pettitt, Derbyshire, Head, Percival, Gilmartin, Brady (c), Dodds, Richardson, Hill.
Replacements: Maycock, Fretwell, Tokaduadua, Katalau, Nuu.
Sheffield Tigers: Baker, Redfern-Brown, Goatley, Broadley, Norman, Ireland, Holmes (c), Bennett, Archer, Bingham, Santamaria, Fitzsimons, Redfern, Wallace, Calladine.
Replacements: Smith, Townsend, Monks, Manderfield, Talbot.
Referee: Alex Powdrell (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Leo Burton (RFU)
Carl Walsh (RFU)
Report by Tim Thorley, Harrogate RUFC
