ON A WINNING STREAK

Northallerton 1st team entertained Aireborough at Brompton Lodge and after a very slow start, emerged victorious 21-17.
This was a classic game of two halves as North found themselves trailing 14-0 after 25 minutes. The visitors two tries were easily avoidable, but again ill discipline cost Northallerton. First Donald Stone was yellow carded for dissent when the referee misheard his strong Scotch dialect, then soon after Dick Lonsdale was also carded for a high tackle. It was during these absences that the visitors scored both tries. Just as though it looked like 'Boro were going to run amok, Dan Luck stepped up to convert two difficult penalties to give North a glimmer of hope. Then on the stroke of half time, tiny winger Townsend showed that despite his age, he still had the speed of old. He received the ball out wide in his own half before out pacing his opposite number to score in the corner. HALF TIME 11-14.
Northallerton received a stern dressing down at half time from manager/chairman of selectors Gary Applecart which influenced the home side to play some free flowing and stylish rugby in the second half.
Vet Edward Bulman co-ordinated the backs with his usual aplomb, while bullocking and rampaging centres Luck and Waldon showed good attacking and defensive qualities. It was due to the good backs work that North scored their two tries, and it was ageing second rower Martin Dennison that benefitted with 2 tries, though it appeared he may have dropped the ball for one of them. Ten minutes from full time, Ian Duffus and the Aireboro number 8 were both yellow carded for 'trying' unsuccessfully to have a fight. It was during this time the visitors scored a penalty to leave North hanging on at the end for a well needed win. 21-17