HOW TO SNATCH DEFEAT FROM THE JAWS OF VICTORY.

Northallerton 1st team hosted mid table Burley and fell to a narrow 23-24 defeat.
The first half was a frenetic and entertaining encounter as both teams shared five tries.
Norths first try came from captain Dougie Mulholland, before Burley equalised straight from the restart. North then regained their advantage through a try from Joe Terry, before the visitors again responded with a converted try of their own. Northallerton started to dominate and were pushing the opposition backwards in the scrum, with prop James Baker making his first team debut and looking impressive. Just before half time Northallerton number 8 Martin Dennison touched down under the posts after a 15 metre rolling maul. Alec Porter Jnr with the conversion sent the teams in at 17-12.
Norths dominance in the scrum evaporated in the second as the visitors grew stronger and bolder. North were under pressure for long periods, but in their brief forays into the Burley half came away with two converted penalties from Porter, to lead 23-12 and looking like running out winners. North then took their foot off the gas and relaxed slightly to allow Burley back into the game with an easy try out wide. Then 3 minutes from time Burleys number 7 brushed aside four tacklers before off loading to his winger who again scored out wide. With Burley needing the conversion to go ahead, their fly half produced the best kick of the day to seal the win.
Next week Northallerton 1st team are at home to Old Modernians.

Northallerton 2nd team travelled to play Stockton and continued their fine form with a good 17-33 victory.
Norths tries came from new, and maybe regular, 2nd team winger Adam Massey, powerful number 8 Iain Townsend, and two opportunistic tries for Gareth Essex. Fly half Brian Tucker capped a fine performance with two conversions, two penalties and a drop goal. Norths man of the match was shared for the second week running between Chris Hustler and Chris Macaneany.
Next week Northallerton 2nd team are again on the road, this time to Acklam.

Northallerton sent a depleted 3rd team to honour their fixture at Middlesborough. Despite only having 12 players North put in a valiant effort before falling to a 48-7 defeat. Norths only try coming from flanker Ben England and converted by Paul Cuthbert.
Next week North 3rd team are at home to Hartlepool.

H Johnson
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