THREE TEAMS + 12 SUBS

For the first time in over a year Northallerton fielded three full teams plus another 12 substitutes, with all 3 teams having varying degrees of success.

Northallerton 1st team travelled to league leaders Castleford with a near full strength squad, and gave the opposition a close game, before running out of gas and losing 35-13.
It was a close and competitive game for long periods with North's Tesco packer, Adam Massey being to the fore in most of the action. It was Massey who again scored North's only try of the game for the second week on the trot. North were also enhanced by the precise kicking ability of fly half Alec Porter Jnr who constantly pinned Castleford back into their own half. It was Porter who scored North's other points of the first half, with a conversion and a long distance penalty that sailed over despite a strong crosswind.
At half time both teams were level at 10-10
For the first 20 minute of the second half both teams were on equal footings, but Castleford scoring 2 penalties to North's 1.
Then with 15 minutes to go the home team introduced the wily and ageing player-coach Daniel Price to the proceedings. Price had noted the home teams short comings from the side-line before coming on and organising his backs to score 3 late tries for the win and bonus point. As one of the home team officials commented, that was probably Prices most effective 15 minutes of his career.
Somebody said Dougie Mullholland was also playing for Northallerton, but that has yet to be verified!
North showed tremendous heart and courage to keep up with the league leaders for the first hour, and special mention should go to Tom Hamper, Lee Peake and man of the match(again) Massey.
Next week North have their first home game for 4 weeks against Rotherham Phoenix, 3pm kick off.

Northallerton 2nd team were involved in a high scoring game at home to Darlington Bulls, before ending up losing 32-39.
The 'Bulls', which are Darlington RFC's 2nd team, came to Northallerton full of confidence after some recent impressive high scoring wins. North however, had plenty of attacking flare themselves with the return of Brian Tucker, Matt Brown and Dave Barrett.
Both teams made numerous defensive errors throughout the game but also showed glimpses of brilliant attacking play. This resulted in neither team being more than 10 points ahead of the other at any point. North were ahead early on through tries from Brown and Barrett, with the visitors replying after both tries with 2 of their own. Tucker also adding a long distance drop goal to send the teams in 15-12 at half time.
In the second half North scored another 3 tries again from Brown, Danny Grainger and Jack Radcliffe. Radcliffe had to be replaced immediately after his try to receive stitches in a torn ear. He may not be able to wear his 'Harry Potter' glasses for a while now!
Darlington in reply, scored four second half tries and a penalty, with the final and game winning try coming 10 minutes from the end due to a mis-judgement of a bouncing ball by North's full back(no names!) allowing the opposition winger to gather the ball and score.
Next week North 2nd team host Acklam 2nd team.

Northallerton 3rd team took to the pitch with a mixture of some very old players, some very odd players and some new players, to record their first win since 2011-12 season, by a score of 31-14 against a strong and resolute Acklam 3rd team.
North were led by 'hooker' Giles Drew, who was fortunate to be able to call on the assistance of ex 1st teamers Steve Robinson, Nic Bainbridge and Matt Bell. These three, combined with the return of a few other elderly players such as the three 47 year olds - James Sanderson, Alan Fishburn and Charlie Turner, gave North as much experience as the other two North teams playing that day.
North scored tries through Sanderson, Robinson, Sean Mcfloogal, Ed Caltrini and Joe Read - son of James. Fishburn with 3 conversions out of 5.
Well done to Mike Sen for lasting a full 60 minutes this week!!!
Also Tim Pennington is available for how not to kick a rugby ball sessions if anybody needs him.
Next week north 3rds are yet to secure a fixture but are hoping all players are again available.