THUNDERLIPS

Northallerton 1st and 2nd teams both managed to score an unlucky 13 points each, but still fell to defeats by scores of 29-13 and 13-14.

Northallerton 1st team travelled to Bramley Phoenix in Leeds with a keen and durable squad including a couple of new players recently signed. Despite the obvious strength and skill of the new players, the lack of cohesion was plain for all to see. This will hopefully be resolved soon with more training and regularly playing together each week.

Bramley had clearly done their homework on the visiting side and set about disrupting every scrummage which is one of North’s strong points. This was never more evident as when the referee sin binned prop Bainbridge for ‘boring in’, which is a very unusual reason to card a player. Mr Bainbridge was heard to say - 'Ive never bored into someone in my life ref'. This meant lock Dongsdale had to be moved to replacement prop for ten minutes, and was also nearly carded after a couple of warnings. The return to play of the carded player however saved ANOTHER card for the frustrated Dongsdale. The disruption, aligned with Bramley’s playmaking fly half, who was coordinating his backs with nonchalant composure, gave North a torrid day whenever going forward. Northallerton also seemed to be struggling in the lineout, in particular with the delivery, again hopefully this will be amended during future training sessions!

North did mange to score two tries through Stu Baker Jnr and Reece Kilbride, with Kilbrides try being a spectacular individual effort. The two tries apart, North found it very arduous to get into the game and spent much of the game on the back foot. Only some unyielding and purposeful defending from youngsters Tom Young and Tim Tomling kept Bramley at bay.

Next week Northallerton 1sts are at home to Baildon, kick off at 3pm.