BONFIRE BONANZA

Northallerton again came back from the brink of defeat but this time to salvage a last minute 27-27 draw at home to Leeds Medics and Dentists.
North were still missing Jonny Franks who was away visiting his ladyboyfriend (?) and Xander Metcalfe who, after last week, was too busy auditioning for I'm A Celebrity to play for little Northallerton RUFC. Oh and let's not forget missing Joe Terry who was having his beard trimmed and Sandy Gray who had to go Christmas shopping with his fiancée.
Back in the real world, the game ebbed and flowed throughout with both teams continually exchanging points but North dominating most of the open play.
The students started the game off at a blistering pace, with two tries in the first ten minutes to leave the home side shell shocked and bewildered.
Norths forwards however again came to the fore to slow the game down in an attempt to starve the young Leeds team of the ball.
After twenty minutes, north got their just reward with a try from the athletic Jonny Baker from a lineout catch and drive move ten yards out.
Soon after a superbly timed crunching tackle in midfield by centre Peter Skinner, resulted in a penalty for North as the Leeds player did not release the ball after being tackled. Jedd Bainbridge with the penalty made the score 8-12.
Leeds responded with their own lineout move which was spun out to their full back who pirouetted like a beefed up ballerina, out of two tackles to score under the posts for a converted try.
Again, Norths reply came from their forwards when a rolling maul was touched down by Simon Manthorpe and converted by Bainbridge.
On the stroke of half time, Leeds converted a straightforward penalty to go in at the break 15-22 in front.
For the first twenty minutes of the second half, North were camped in the opposition 22 and were guilty of spurning numerous chances to score.
After 65 minutes Leeds, who had struggled in the scrum all day, took their only scrum against the head, and broke upfield to score in the corner.
With only 15 minutes left Northallerton found themselves 15-27 behind, so freshened up their pack bringing on Phil Swall and Harry O'Connor.
These two combined brilliantly with 'the Viking' Joe Osleton to continually pummel the visitors defence with direct assaults down the middle of the park.
Five minutes from time Jacob Sankey sneeked stealthily through a gap between the hookers legs and his belly overhang to touch down for a unconverted try which gave North a glimmer of hope.
Then on the stroke of full time, with the visitors almost dead on their feet, full back Sam Taylor, on only one leg, somehow jinked past two defenders to score out wide. However North still needed the conversion to draw level and with a very strong crosswind the conversion looked nigh on impossible. With his father hollering "remember what I taught you son" ringing in his ears, Bainbridge produced one of the kicks of his life to start the ball going far left before it eventually dissected the posts perfectly. That was the final play as the referee then blew for full time.
The sight of the Leeds player coming off the pitch nearly crying becaus he thought they'd won by a point was a truly entertaining spectacle. And who say a university education is a waste??? I hope he doesn't have to count over 20 teeth ever or there may be a problem.
Next weeks Northallerton firsts travel away to Halifax Vandals, kick off 2.15pm

Northallerton 2nd team travelled to Redcar and came away with a surprisingly well earned 39-0 victory.
With the 7-33 home defeat from three weeks ago still fresh in their minds, North were very eager for retribution.
Despite being two men down all game, North dominated throughout and scored tries from Gary Norton (2), Ian Cockings (2), Dave Lawrence, Martin Dennison and Matty Wheeler. Wheeler added two conversions to complete the scoring.
Next week Northallerton seconds are scheduled to play Seaton Carew at home, kick off 2.15.

Thank you
H Johnson

Sent from H's iPhone