PROP REPLACEMENT LUCK!

Northallerton 1st team made the long journey to Hessle near Hull and were extremely unlucky to return with only a bonus point for a narrow 17-15 defeat.
Northallerton suffered an early setback when after 10 minutes, injured Nick Bainbridge had to be replaced by the younger less experienced prop Dan Luck. Despite this change, North for once on a away fixture, started the brighter and took a deserved lead through winger Ian Duffus midway through the first half, Dougie Mulholland scoring the conversion. The try itself was a marvellous combination of strong forward work and superb support from the backs before Duffus shook aside two tacklers to power over the line. Hessle soon got their act together and their well drilled 8, 9, 10 combo began to trouble the North defence. It was via the Hessle fly half that North conceded the try, when a dummy runner drew the defence before the outside centre ran through to score under the posts and level the score. Just before half time Mulholland got his customary drop goal to send North in at the break 10-7 in front.
At half time North again had to have another change around, replacing second rower Jim Duggleby with debutant Andy Ryder who acquitted himself admirably to the faster flowing first team rugby. North increased their lead when after 15 minutes of the restart, Luck scored his second try in consecutive weeks. A long mazy run by winger Chris Macaneany was halted on the Hessle 22 yard line, only for Luck to arrive in support and show a remarkable turn of pace for a prop, and dash the remainder to score in the corner. Just as North began to look forward to a rare away victory, lack of discipline looked more likely to become North's downfall, as they started to give away too many penalties. Hessle scored one penalty to close the scores to 10-15. Then from a quick tap penalty the Hessle fly half released their scrum half who jinked past 2 Northallerton players before touching down just by the posts. The conversion put the home team 2 points clear but with still 10 minutes left. North however were unable to get within kicking range for Mulholland to again produce another drop goal and had to settle for the losing bonus point. Final score 17-15. North awarded man of the match to ex-Captain Paul Dixon for his versatility for moving from loose head prop to tight-head prop and still playing his usual high octane paced game.

Next week North 1sts are at home to Sheffield Medicals, kick off at 2.15pm.