NOBODY LIKES DUFFUS

Northallerton 1st team travelled to Leeds Medics on the back of a winning streak but had their run halted in a 37-17 defeat.
North started the game very disjointed and made numerous errors in the fifteen five minutes and were punished by a penalty and two converted tries. North gradually got back into the game thanks to some good work from Dan Grainger and particularly scrum half Patrick Hustlethwaite. A fine try from returning prop Dave Baker gave North a brief glimpse of hope but Leeds responded with two more tries and penalty before half time to seemingly put the game out of Norths reach after 40 minutes. Half time 30-5
North made a couple of changes at half time and started the second half playing more for pride than hope of winning.
Winger Martin Connor was having a torrid time in defence but managed to score his first try of the season after ten minutes of the restart. Soon after centre Dan luck also added to the tally with a try set up by Dougie Mulholland, and also converted by Luck. With North now back in the game at 30-17 Leeds began to re-assert themselves through their better drilled backs. North withstood tremendous pressure for a fifteen minute period before Leeds could burst through and score a converted try from ex Northallerton fat prop Ian Duffus.
Final score 37-17.
Next week Northallerton 1st team entertain Bramley Phoenix at Brompton Lodge, kick off at 2.15pm

Northallerton 2nd team pulled off the performance of the season by beating Middlesborough 'A' team 12-26.
Boro had only lost one game this calendar year and North 2nds could only field a bare 15 due to late cry offs, so a long, tough afternoon was expected.
North opened the scoring from powerful winger Jason Simmons, who brushed aside two tacklers to score in the corner. The home team showed why they have remained unbeaten so long as they responded by keeping North pinned back into their own 22 for long periods. Boro got a scrappy try just before half time to send them in 7-5 up at the break.
The game sparked to life in the second half. John Harker scored a brilliant individual try, followed soon after by Simmons who added his second try of the day. Again Boro responded with a try of their own. Five minutes from time Norths number 8, John Stanley was controlling a rolling maul before James Read gratefully took the ball off him to go over and claim Norths final try.
Norths man of the match was awarded to Chris Macaneany.
Next week Northallerton 2nds are due to play Guisborough at home.

Northallerton 3rd team also put in a impressive performance in securing a home win against Barnard Castle 2nd team by a score of 27-17.
North started off bright with Andy Clarke assuming Captain duties, but with only one substitute to call on, he had very limited options for change.
Fly half Hugh Hamilton was the star of the show with two first half tries, one penalty and one conversion. Half time 15-0
Barnard Castle came back in the second half with three quick tries to lead 17-15. North then reinstated themselves with some crunching tackling from Tim Pennington and James Baker. Norths only sub, a less than fully fit Adam Massey, came on ten minutes from time to score a crashing try out wide and also set up Oliver Watts for the final try in the corner.
Final score 27-17
Next week North 3rd team are away at Guisborough.