END OF WINNING RUN

Northallerton1st team travelled to league leaders Roundhegians, buoyed by three recent wins on the trot and a near full strength team. However North’s brief winning run came to an abject end with a convincing 33-10 victory for Roundhegians.

Northallerton started off the brighter team with full back Rhys Kilbride constantly looking like North’s danger man. Each time the home team attempted to clear their lines, the ball fell into Kilbride’s hands, from which he ran the ball back with interest each time. After 10 minutes North took a deserved lead from the trusty boot of Dan Luck, who nonchalantly converted a straight forward penalty. Five minutes later fly half Brian Tucker attempted to increase North’s lead with an audacious drop goal which struck the upright, the home team reacted the quicker to clear their lines. Mid way through the first half the home team woke and started to gain more possession and put together some impressive backs moves. In the last 15 minutes of the half, the home team scored three unanswered tries to send North in at the break 19-3 down and feeling shell-shocked.

North made a change at half time bringing on experienced hooker Jonny Baker for the very very very experienced(old) prop Paul Dixon.
The home team continued their dominance at the beginning of the second half and scored another converted try via their inspiring backs. North then briefly rallied and led by their inspirational Captain Don Stone mounted a sustained forward led assault on the Hegians try line. After ten minutes of rucks, mauls and a couple of scrums, youngster Steve Robinson stole the ball off Stone and flopped over the line to claim his fifth try in six outings, two of those being as a substitute. Luck added the conversion to give North a slight glimmer of hope. The home team however came straight back at North and scored at the other end within five minutes to end North’s chances. North then made a couple of changes bringing on the fiery Lee Peake and moving Dougie Mulholland from his best position - touch judge - to fly half in place of a tiring Brian Tucker (he needed a fag!).
With over 20 minutes of the game still left the home fans were expecting more tries from Roundhegians but North held out thanks to some excellent defending from the big tackling Dougie Mulholland and the marauding Jonny Baker. Peake also wasted a bit of time trying to start a fight with all the opposition - even their 70 year old coach! Despite North being pinned in their own half for the majority of the second half they still showed glimpses of promise when combining the back rows strength with the pace of North’s back three. This though was too infrequent to cause the home team too much trouble.
It also has to be mentioned that, Nicholas Bainbridge, after last weeks half a game rest, DID MANAGE TO PLAY A FULL GAME without getting injured!
Final score 33-10, North’s man of the match was awarded to Rhys Kilbride.

North now have a two week break over Christmas and New Year with their next fixture being at home to Thornensians on 7th January 2012.