Home Vs Halifax RUFC

Northallerton vs Halifax

North hosted newly promoted Halifax this week. The visitors have made a promising start to life in Yorkshire 3 so North were expecting a tough game.
The opening 20 minutes were end to end stuff with both teams trading tries in a pulsating start to the game. The weather was perfect for open running rugby which hasn't been Norths strong point this season . However with 5 minutes on the clock returning winger Xander Metcalf finished off a fine backs move to put the hosts ahead. Halifax replied straight away levelling the scores. 10 minutes later norths backs were at it again this time putting Joe Grieff into a gap to open his account for the season with a thundering run through the middle. Once again Halifax drew the score level, this time after Norths defence rushed up and got caught flat footed.
Then followed a period of attritional rugby with Norths forwards starting to dominate their Halifax counterparts. Just before half time John Murphy crossed the whitewash after several punishing phases of pick and go from the north pack.

After half time north really turned the screw and took control of the game. The forwards dominated the battle up front and mecurial Mulholland and jedd bainbridge kept them in the right area with good kicking out of hand. Patrick Hebblethwaite grabbed his obligatory try soon after half time with a typical sniping finish. Jonny Franks scored his first try of the season after more good forward work. Shortly afterwards Xander grabbed his 2nd of the day and Northallerton looked to be cruising to victory. Halifax however had other ideas and started to stage a comeback. Poor defence led to 2 more Halifax tries as they began to take a foothold in the game. Thankfully Jeremy Deas was on hand after his return from a cheese making sabbatical. The enthusiastic caseiculturist scored after another bout of fine work from the forwards to calm the home crowds nerves.
Jonny baker then put the game to bed with a piece of footwork so elaborate it would have been just as at home on the dance floor of strictly come dancing as it was on the rugby pitch. Changing from twinkle toes to powerhouse at the drop of a hat he crashed over the line taking a Halifax defender with him for good measure.
Final score north 46-24 Halifax

The lads would like to dedicate their victory to winger Sandy Gray who is in hospital recovering from a horrific accident which caused him to withdraw from the squad.