MASSIVE MASSEY

Northallerton 1st team travelled to Burley without either the cricketing 1st team Captain or stubbed toe injure vice-captain, so ex Captain Paul Dixon had to come to the fore to lead North to a tremendously exciting 21-25 victory.
North matched the home team in the forwards but struggled to stifle a very well drilled scrum half and stand off, who proceeded to organise their backs efficiently.
Norths main threat was coming from the giant number 8, Adam Massey who was constantly drawing in 3 or 4 tacklers to halt his charges. He was also being suitably assisted by the Baker brothers, David and Jonathan. Inside centre, Dan Luck, although being short of match fitness, was also kept busy, having to produce numerous midfield tackles while keeping his hair perfectly groomed.
The home team however dominated most of the first half and scored three converted tries to Norths one unconverted try from Massey after a 20 metre rolling maul.
At half time North were left with a mountain climb, going in at 21-5 down.

North, however, had learned from last weeks mistakes and kept the ball with their bigger, better drilled forwards for as much as possible in the second half.
This enabled Massey to again touch down from the rear of a scrum after a push over try, this time converted by Xander Metcalfe. Metcalfe then added a nonchalant drop goal (a la Dougie) to close the gap to 6 points.
With Massey being close to a hat trick he decided he was injured and had to be replaced by the more dependable and ferocious Gareth Studley Essex.
With North now in the ascendancy, the home team were expecting another push over try when scrum half Jack Radcliffe picked the ball up and sniped over the line for another try. Unfortunately the conversion was well wide, leaving Northallerton still one point behind.
A few minutes later 'strawberry blonde' Phil Swall capped off a fine performance and scored his first league try for the club, following good work from the forwards, led by Dixon and Lee Peake. Again the conversion drifted wide, but North were now 5 points ahead and looking comfortable. However seconds before the end Steven Lister produced an astounding last ditch, try saving, tackle that ensured Norths victory.
Next week North are on the road again, this time travelling to Old Modernians.

Northallerton 2nd were unable to procure a fixture this week, but will hopefully be able to arrange a game for next week before their season starts officially on the 28th September.