WINNING RUN

Northallerton carried on their good form of last week with another impressive win, this time away at Leeds Modernians by a score of 22-26.
North were absent of the influential Joe Terry who couldn't find Leeds and vice captain Jonny Franks who has gone away for a life changing adventure (gender reassignment?), but were able to welcome back Sam Taylor from a knee injury and Phil Swall from a nasty cold.
Northallerton struggled to get the journey out of their legs for the opening twenty minutes, falling behind to a penalty and a unconverted try early on. Finding themselves 8 points down, some of Norths supporters were fearing the worst but an inspirational team talk from coach James Hopkin and a sip of water off Jack Swain fired up the North players to finally put some pressure on the home team. Leeds defended heroically to hold North out for the next fifteen minutes, but just before half time North were caught on the break. With Northallerton throwing everything at the opposition, Leeds scored a interception try to go in at half time 15-0 in front.
At the start of the second half Norths forwards continued on the front foot and were rewarded after five minutes with a try from Joe Osleton, who brushed aside 3 would be tacklers like they were trying to pinch his fish and chips, and touched down just over the line. Jedd Bainbridge with the conversion put North back into the game and only 8 points behind.
Just as Northallerton got back into the game, a defensive mix up allowed the Leeds flanker to collect a loose ball in midfield, before off loading for his winger to touch down under the posts and reimpose the fifteen point advantage.
North however failed to lie down and with the forwards totally out classing their opposition, there was more space afforded to Norths backs.
Half way through the second half Xander Metcalfe took advantage of being able to way up all his options just outside his own 22. With many people (Tank) shouting to just 'get rid' he set off on a mazy run downfield, showing his deceptive pace and quality side stepping. He glided past numerous Leeds players to run over 70 yards before touching down under the posts.
The home team now seemed to be totally shell shocked and disorientated as Norths forwards and even the backs began to overrun them with ease.
Fifteen minutes from time Taylor showed he was one of the fastest at the club, (after Dicko avoiding a round) when he easily outpaced the Leeds winger and sidestepped the full back to score out wide to make the score 22-19
One minute from time Sam Taylor again prospered from good forward work, when a audacious pass from Simon Manthorpe found him out wide. Taylor had the speed and thought of mind to cut inside his opposite number and score a try closer to the posts making the conversion for Bainbridge slightly easier thus ensuring a last minute victory.
Final score 22-26
Next week Northallerton first team are at home to Leeds Medics and Dentist with a 2.15pm kick off.

Northallertons 2nd team game at home to Whitby was called off at short notice due to a fixture mix up as Whitby had allegedly arranged to play Acklam at home.
Next week Northallerton 2nds are away at Redcar, also a 2.15pm kick off.

Thank you. H Johnson