The men’s first XV were back at the Lodge this week to face Huddersfield Laund Hill RUFC, another team who have not visited in many years. Both sides have found themselves at the bottom end of the table and were looking for a crucial win that would elevate them out of harm’s way. Meanwhile, the men’s second XV were playing away at Acklam RUFC looking to build on the progress from last week’s match.

The Lodge had a good crowd down as the visitors won the coin toss and elected to play up the slope and into wind in the first half. They lined up with their sizable forward pack and back line offering a clear indication of how they play the game. Much of the North pre-match team talk was about getting on the front foot early and this they did chasing and harrying the away side, giving no quarter in defence. Winning the ball early on in Laund Hill’s territory, North applied the pressure and perhaps took themselves by surprise with the impact they had carrying the ball into the bigger side. Ground was quickly seized and it wasn’t long before North had opened the scoring for the game with a try from flanker Matt Argo. This early try shocked the visitors into action and they set about playing as expected. Some heavy carries from both their backs and forwards found ways to get over the gain line and with a sense of inevitability, score their first converted try in reply. For much of the first half the game seemed evenly poised, North fronted up in defence and in most parts dominated the tight encounters around the breakdown. It was a bobbling loose ball that proved the undoing for North and Laund Hill were the quicker to react, capitalising on it and punching through the tackles to land their second converted try of the game. To North’s credit they were unflustered from this set back and quickly got back to work. Playing to what had been their strength in the game so far, the hosts forced their way into the visitor’s half and towards their try line by a combination of kicking for the corners and carrying hard in the forwards. As the first half drew to a close, the continual pressure from North was rewarded with another try from close range that brought the score to 10-14 at the break.

The second half gave North the wind at the backs and this advantage proved useful as it helped the home side keep the pressure on the visitors, pinning them in their own half. The successes of converting territory in the first half proved difficult to replicate as Laund Hill looked to be containing the North forwards effectively. The threat posed by the big runners in the away side’s backline never abated though and it was they who provided the release valve on North’s pressure. Breaking through the defensive line they quickly gained territory down the slope and into North’s half. A couple of missed tackles provided enough of an opportunity to grant the visitors another converted try to stretch their lead. North did manage to cut the deficit shortly after with a poachers try from Jack Radcliffe, diving on a loose ball to sneak it over the line in the corner after a length spell of possession. Fatigue from tackling the bigger pack all afternoon started to creep into North’s game and the visitors were able to make hay out of a few small opportunities to score two more converted tries that sealed the victory and finished the match. The final score read Northallerton 15 – Huddersfield Laund Hill 35. An entertaining game to watch that had good opportunities for both sides to take the game, plenty of promise once again shown by North and plenty to build on. Many thanks to the referee for officiating the match, to Laund Hill for travelling in such good numbers and to the many volunteers around the club who help put on a terrific day of rugby.

The men’s second XV fielded a very mixed team of age and experience again which has helped develop many players over the past few seasons. Going up against a strong Acklam side was always set to be a difficult encounter. North played with a great tempo and energy throughout the whole match, on occasions managing to implement many of the patterns of play that the team as been improving on this
season. Utility player Connah Richmond provided the solitary try for the visitor’s efforts however, despite plenty of enthusiasm and commitment in defence, the home side’s attacking prowess was too great to resist and a steady stream of tries meant that at the end of the game the score line ready Acklam 65 – Northallerton 5. Many thanks to Acklam for their generous hospitality, to the referee for officiating the game and to the supporters who travelled to cheer on the team. An enjoyable game to play in and one that will provide opportunities for improvement going forward.

For any readers wanting to play rugby, the men train on Tuesday and Thursday 7pm, the ladies train on Wednesday 7pm and the juniors play on Sunday 10am. Please contact the club on social media for more information.