GOOD START

Northallerton 1st team travelled away to a blustery and windy Rotherham Phoenix, and fell to a disappointing 23-3 defeat.
North started off the brighter and took the lead through a trademark Dougie Mulholland drop goal from over 30 yards out, which sailed over with the help of the prevailing wind. Ten minutes later North attempted to increase their lead with a Dan Luck penalty from near the touchline. Luck was extremely unfortunate that the attempt hit the upright before being cleared. The home team then composed themselves and decided this was not the half to clear the ball via kicking it due to the strong headwind against them. Instead they opted to either run the ball out or clear by low level grubber kicks. Slowly the home team became more dominant and five minutes before half time they got the try their efforts deserved to send them in ahead 5-3 at half time.
North faced an uphill struggle in the second half against the wind, and even more so when slight injuries to prop Nicholas Bainbridge and centre Nathan Cannel meant having to be replaced with North's only 2 subs. With the wind behind them Rotherham had the lions share of possession and only some excellent and courageous defending from the entire North team kept the the score down. The home team still managed to slot home two long range penalties before eventually grinding down North and scoring two tries in the last 15 minutes for a hard fought 23-3 win.
Next week Northallerton 1st team are at home to Burley.

Northallerton's 2nd team fixture had to be cancelled due to a lack of players willing to travel away, which is very disappointing and a sad reflection of some peoples commitment!
Next week the 2nd team play Stockton at home.