DEFEAT FROM THE JAWS

Northallerton 1st team entertained Thornensians at home full of confidence after last weeks superb win over Wath on Dearne. However after leading for 70 minutes, North managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory!
North started off very impressively with the backs combining well to release Duffus into a large gap and power through for a try in the opening minute. Two minutes later though, following a lineout by the visitors, Thorne did exactly the same move as North did, to release their centre to score under the posts. For the remainder of the first half North were in control and could have scored on a couple of occasions, only for the final pass to fall short or be knocked on. With half time looming, North did manage to convert two penalties from Brian Tucker to go into the break 13-7 up.
The second half was again dominated by North for the first 15 minutes until there was a long break following a serious injury to Northallertons Tom Hopson. After nearly a fifteen minute stoppage, play eventually resumed with Mark Waldon coming on as replacement. This break though seemed to disrupt North's play and allowed Thorne back into the game. With ten minutes left, and darkness looming, North missed two tackles in the middle of the park which the visitors took full advantage of to score out wide. With Thorne missing the conversion, North still led by one point and looked like they could hang on for the final five minutes. Then North were awarded a scrum just inside their own half which should have been a platform to build on and consolidate their lead. But from the ensuing scrum there was confusion and panic as the ball shot out of back of the scrum. As the home team tried to regain the ball North were penalised for coming in at the side and also for going off their feet. Thorne easily converted the penalty and held on with North not even managing to get out of their own half. For not the first time this season it was North's ill discipline that cost them the game.

Sorry no humour this week - not much to laugh at really!