STILL WINLESS

Northallerton's poor form continued with a disappointing 3-24 home defeat to Harrogate Pythons.
Earlier weather conditions seemed perfect for Norths style of play as there was torrential downpour of rain for over an hour before kick off, but as the whistle blew to start, the rain stopped and bright sunshine appeared from behind the clouds for the rest of the afternoon!!!
Harrogate started the brighter and pressed North back into their 22 with excellent handling in the still wet conditions.
After five minutes a clever kick over the top into space from the Harrogate winger was chased up and touched down in the corner to give the visitors a 5-0 lead.
North came straight back and with the slight slope in their favour, were camped in the visitors 22 for nearly 20 minutes but emerged with only 3 points from a Jed Bainbridge penalty.
In the closing five minutes of the first half, Harrogate scored two similar tries taking advantage of their larger forwards powering through the North defence before allowing their wingers to profit from the spaces created.
Half time 3-19.
North made a couple of changes at half time replacing the injured Sam Taylor with slimline James Baker and the tiring Phil Swall with chunky prop Joe Terry.
North were caught napping five minutes into the second half as Harrogate again took advantage of missed tackles to score a unconverted try to earn themselves a bonus point.
Despite being 21 points down North never gave up and showed great spirit to keep Harrogate pinned in their own half for all of the remaining 35 minutes. Only some excellent tackling, mauling and scrummaging from the Pythons kept Northallerton out.
North nearly got a consolation try 2 minutes from time when Simon Manthorpe definitely grounded the ball over the line but the referee was unsighted so could not award the try, much to the crowds displeasure.
Final score 3-24.
Despite the score line North showed some promising rugby in the second half but need to raise their game for the full 80 minutes and not just in patches.
Next week north travel away to Old Otliensians in what promises to be another tough encounter.

Northallerton 2nd team travelled to West Hartlepool full of confidence after last weeks 85-5 win at Acklam but this time returned on the wrong side of a 94-12 defeat. With Norths tries coming from Rob Greene and man of the match Jack Swain. Trevor Mould added one conversion in difficult conditions.
Next week North 2nds are at home to Stocktonians and are hoping the return of a few players will help them bounce back.
Thank you
H Johnson