WATH AT HOME

Northallerton 1st team entertained table toppers Wath who were fresh from their 100 points to nil demolition of Old Mods last week.
North had a torrid first half and spent most of the half on the back foot. North were finding it increasingly difficult to cope with Waths big strong forwards and their well drilled backs. As well as some excellent defending, North were also, for once, keeping their discipline and not conceding too many penalties. However, this was not enough as Wath still had too much for them and ran in four unanswered tries in the first half to go in 24-0 up at the break.
North started the second half with more fluidity and started to play some good rugby, getting Kilbride and Bell involved whenever possible. Cannel was also looking dangerous at the base of the scrum and organising his backs with his usual calmness. It was the trusty boot of Brian Tucker that led to North's only try of the game when a delicate chip through was chased up by the speedy Joe Terry, who out paced all covering players to touch down near the posts, Tucker converted nonchalantly. North now had a glimmer of hope, but Wath seemed to up their game and press for more tries. Again North found themselves defending their lines, and all 15 men of Northallerton showed tremendous courage and nerve to withstand wave after wave of Wath attacks. Waths only reward was a penalty after Lonsdale was carded, again, after numerous infringements, and was probably lucky not to get a red!
President of Northallerton Rugby Club, Richard Lovelace commented after the game of "how proud he was of the defending and attitude of the whole team against such a good side, who must be favourites for promotion"