North gave away far too many penalties in a first half in which they played satisfactorily but were unable to provide the finishing touch. North’s lineout was vastly improved from last week, due partly to some midweek coaching from ex-international lock Gary Appleyard, and partly from some excellent handling by Peake and Sanderson in the line.

It was North’s ill discipline that saw them fall behind to two Baildon penalties in the first thirty minutes. North did respond however through number 8 Ian Duffus who disintegrated the visitors defence to score in the corner. Luck’s conversion from out wide fell just short. Half time 5-6

North started the second half confident they could turn the game round and introduced the 45 year old vet Edward Bulman to the game at full back. But within 5 minutes North conceded a sloppy try caused by lack of concentration when Baildon took a quick tap penalty to run past 2 daydreaming 2nd row players - who were out on the p*** the night before - to score under the posts. Without delay, Bulman then showed his class, when cornered in his own 22, with an outrageous dummy and produced a 70 yard kick to pin the opposition back into their own 22. From the ensuing lineout, Sanderson caused enough disruption to allow scrum half Nathan Cannel to slink over for his customary sneaky try. Again Dan Luck was unfortunate with his conversion attempt that drifted just wide. But North were now back in the game at 10-13 just 3 points behind.
Number 8 Duffus then suffered a blow to his face which chipped a tooth and caused some concern wether he could carry on. But after Kenny Burdass offered to pay the dentist fee for the poor student, Duffus returned to play.
Baildon then got their number 8 sin binned for a dubious offence, when some thought it was North’s Lonsdale who should have been carded. North however failed to take advantage of the man extra when they opted to take 3 tap penalties from 5 yards out when the scrum may have been the better option. Baildon survived the pressure to break up field and then, managed to charge down Lucks clearance kick and score another try which cruelly put a halt to North’s resurgence. Northallerton did manage one more penalty but Baildon were now on a high a scored another two tries to leave the score looking more one sided than it should have been.

Next week Northallerton 1st and 2nd teams travel to York RI, which is not far so hopefully there will be no 'home only' excuses!!!