THROWN AWAY

Northallerton 1st team got their season off to the worst possible start with a 18-21 home defeat to Rotherham Phoenix in the Yorkshire Cup.
North started the game full of confidence, pressurising the visitors for the first 15 minutes before getting their just reward with a penalty from Jed Bainbridge. Soon after Norths new signing Sam Taylor, spotted the Rotherham full back out of position and put in a deft kick through which he then chased up and touched down.
With North now in the ascendancy, they started to put some good passages of play together. After 30 minutes following good work from Jeremy Deas, Captain Jonny Franks danced past three players to touch down for a converted try, again kicked by Bainbridge.
On the stroke of half time Bainbridge converted another penalty to give North a well deserved and seemingly insurmountable 18-0 lead.
The visitors started off the second half on the front foot and kept North in their own half, before scoring a somewhat controversial try from what appeared to be a offside position. With the try being converted and the deficit being reduced to 11 points it gave Rotherham even more of a boost.
North were now finding it increasingly difficult to get out of their own half with only the boot of Bainbridge being able to temporarily relieve the pressure.
Midway through the second half Rotherham scored another converted try, this time though, due to three missed tackles by Northallerton.
For the next 15 minutes North defended magnificently and it looked like they may hold on for the win. But with only a couple of minutes left and Norths walking wounded tiring by the second, there was a mix up in defence when Jonny Baker mistook Dickos shiny white girly backs boots for the rugby ball allowing Rotherham to crash over for a deserved third converted try and clinch the game.
Next week North travel to Aireborough to start off their league campaign.

Northallerton fielded a very strong 2nd team who also started off their season at home, and they emerged triumphant with a hard fought 22-19 win over local rivals Richmond.
North welcomed back a few old timers who proved they are still not past their 'sell by date' - but maybe close to their 'best before date' including Andy Mcquaker, Gareth Essex, Gareth Norton and as always stormin Norman. Unfortunately there was no return yet for Iain Townsend who is still studying for his masters degree in nappy changing + being told what to do by his wife!
Norths try scorers were John Logan(2) and Joe Grief. Iain McLeod added two conversions and a penalty - which ended up being the telling difference between the sides, that sealed the win.
Man of the match was awarded to another newcomer PJ Duncan.
Next week Northallerton 2nds are still awaiting fixture confirmation.

H Johnson.