North’s U15s follow suit winning away from home

Following the example set by Northallerton RUFC men’s and women’s teams this season, the U15’s cohort chalked up another win this time away from home to continue their fine form so far. The men’s first XV won on the road again, this time away at Burley to complete the first of their home and away fixtures. There was no game for the second XV having had to postpone their fixture, so instead a number of the team journeyed over to Acklam RUFC to join forces with Barnard Castle RUFC to help fulfil that fixture.

The U15’s, who have enjoyed a period of consistency in their team numbers and selection this season, made the short trip down the road to play against the Lower Dales combined XV at Thirsk RUFC. The Lower Dales team is made up of players from Thirsk, Richmond and occasionally Pocklington clubs in order to increase the number of matches played at that age group. Having met before in this season, the game played out at Thirsk proved to be another fast paced, hard tackling encounter. Both teams played with a passion and ferocity in defence that made try scoring difficult at times, however by showcasing their organisation and sticking together, Northallerton were able to score four tries to win the game with the final score Lower Dales 10 – Northallerton 24. Many thanks to Thirsk for their generous hospitality and to the referee for officiating a well spirited game. Thanks also to the many volunteers and parents who helped make the game happen.

The men’s first XV pulled their boots back on to play Burley RUFC having been disrupted, like many other teams, for the past couple of weeks by the weather. In the first of the return fixtures which mark the half way point of the season, North were excited by the chance to back up their
immaculate form from the first half of the fixture list with another win. Perhaps showing a bit of match rustiness from a short break off games, the visitors were slow out of the blocks allowing Burley to build a series of phases using their heavy forwards to punch holes. Not to be so easily overwhelmed, North’s organisation in defence held firm despite the slow start and Burley were repelled. It took about ten minutes for the table toppers to switch into gear, but once they found their rhythm, the tries soon followed. It was the lineout and set piece that North looked to to bring them into the game. Iain Swall was immaculate in the air on his long-awaited return to the side after a lengthy spell on the touchline and it was from this platform that many of the successful attacks were launched. Kicking the ball downhill into the low corner of the pitch, North were able to pin Burley back in their own territory and pile the pressure on until the tries came flowing in. Centre Nathan Bishoprick scored the first try, converted by Jedd Bainbridge which was followed shortly after by a try from Swall who clearly enjoyed being back on the field. Connah Richmond scored the visitors’ third in quick succession that Bainbridge again converted and it wasn’t long before winger Josh Barrett added North’s fourth try and another to his growing tally this season, converted by Bainbridge. This closed out the first half with North in a dominant position and a twenty six point lead.
During the half time break Burley must have had some strong words said to them as they came out all guns blazing, more ferocious in defence and clinical in attack. By carrying hard and retaining the ball they were able to push North back towards their own line and, after a sustained period of pressure they created an imbalance of numbers on the short side of a ruck that was exploited by their powerful number 8. Having got themselves onto the scoresheet Burley followed this up with another try on the short side of a ruck to make the most of their momentum. In this situation it would have been forgivable to North’s defence to crack and creak a bit more. Instead, they showed why they are in the position they’re in and galvanised, stopping the Burley attacks before they could get going. Another unconverted try and a converted try from North stemmed any chance the hosts had to overturn the deficit and despite James Hopkin’s best efforts late on to hold himself up over the Burley try line after running half the length of the pitch, North were able to run out winners with a final score of Burley 10 – Northallerton 40. A big thank you to Burley for their generous hospitality and to the referee for officiating an enjoyable game.

For any readers who want to play rugby in Northallerton, the men train on Tuesday and Thursday 7pm, the ladies train on Wednesday 7pm and the juniors play on Sunday 10am. Please contact the club on social media for more information.