Northallerton rugby club took a break from their unbeaten league and cup season to go on a three day, two game cultural exchange visit of Eindhoven in Holland.
North sent a total of twenty nine registered players plus a support team of three ex-players who were invaluable with their assistance. Before each game, Northallerton’s four tour virgins performed the ‘Yorkshire’ Haka showcasing Northern humour much to the amusement of the locals. The aforementioned Haka can be found online if you look.
Despite the adverse conditions - (everyone being bery inebriated except 1), North returned unbeaten, winning both games comfortably.
Northallerton’s first game was against Eindhoven Elephants, a local student team which was a similar style to Norths usual Yorkshire student opponents, Leeds and Sheffield. Despite the kick off being planned at 6pm on the Friday, only ninety minutes after the flight had touched down at Eindhoven airport, North showed no signs of weariness or fatigue, just problems with their vision and legs, as they proceeded to win the game by six tries to one. The try scorers were Jeremy Deas(2), Sam Taylor, Phil Swall, Simon Manthorpe and Doug Mulholland. The ‘Elephants’ only try came from a wild and speculative American style quarterback pass from Mulholland which was easily intercepted for a breakaway try - some things never change whether alcohol is involved or not!
Man of the match was awarded by James ‘the Undertaker’ Hopkins to the well deserved Deas.
Norths next game, on the Saturday afternoon was against another Eindhoven team, who were two leagues above the student team but still could not match Northallerton’s ferocity or intensity or obnoxious odours, as North ran out winners by eight tries to three.
Norths tries came from Joe Grieff(3), Mulholland(2), Taylor, Matthew Marsay and Phil Swall. Swall was unlucky not to add to his tally with a break from his own half which was halted after over seventy metres (truth) and just short of the try line.
Grieff just edged out Swall for man of the match.
North hope to be able to be able to return the favour and host the friendly and welcoming Dutch teams if they ever want to tour Yorkshire.
Northallerton return to league action next week with a home fixture to our lovely friends Knottingley with a 3pm kick off.
If we’re really lucky ‘Physco’ may travel to discuss politics and literature with Peakey.
Northallerton second team are awaiting fixture confirmation.

Thank you
H Johnson