YELLOW CARDS GALORE

Northallerton 1st team hosted Old Modernians at home and triumphed 20-8. The first fifteen minutes were fairly close with some wayward kicking by both teams and also some loose play in the open. Then a flash of inspiration and flexibility from a clean shaven Don Stone opened up the visitors defence. Stone stooped down to grass level to pick up very low and wayward pass from his scrum half(Ready) before being supported by his fellow forwards to drive 15 yards over the try line, ex Captain Paul Dixon emerging with the ball and claiming the try, Rhys Kilbride with the conversion. This boosted North’s confidence and they proceeded to exert more pressure on Old Mods with Joe Terry coming into the line from full back and making good ground. After 30 minutes North and Stone got their just rewards with another try following another rolling maul that the opposition could not stop. This time there was no doubt it was Stones try which Kilbride again converted. Soon after North’s Nic Bainbridge received a final warning for constantly lying on the wrong side of ruck and making no attempt to roll away. Two minutes later Martyn Sanderson paid the price for Tanks warning and was yellow carded for a minor infringement, Old Mods converted the penalty. Just on the half time whistle Dougie Mulholland scored his trademark drop goal to keep North 14 points clear at the break. HALF TIME 17-3

The second half started with both teams getting a player sin binned for more minor indiscretions, leaving North briefly with 13 men versus 14. It was during this time that the visiting full back noticed a huge gap behind the North defence, into which he kicked and chased up to collect and score out wide, but the conversion was missed. Mods had a couple more chances to score but did not make the most of a 4 man overlap out wide, and another chance was also denied by a last gasp tap tackle from Terry only 10 yards out. After an hour North made a change bringing on Russ Heyward for the tiring(?) Sanderson - even though he'd had a 10 minute rest! Heyward made an immediate impact, conceding a penalty and getting involved in a minor brawl. It was only a minor brawl as Heywards attempt at a punch was so badly timed his opposite number had time for a cup of tea before the punch missed by mile, causing Heyward to nearly fall over and hurt himself! A penalty from Mulholland on 65 minutes sealed the win for the home team though Old Mods refused to give up. Ten minutes from the end Steve Robinson was brought out of retirement for the injured Lee Peake and was immediately penalised by the referee for hands in the ruck. It was quite obvious it had been a few years since Robinson had last played as another three or four penalties were awarded against him for offences that apparently used to be ok when he last played! The referee however was particularly forgiving and issued Robbo with only a verbal caution before blowing for full time. Final score 20-8.
Next week Northallerton 1st team are at home again to Old Rishworthians.