Three teams took to the field for Northallerton RUFC’s senior sides this weekend. The men’s first and second XV played against Ossett RUFC and Wensleydale RUFC respectively whilst the ladies first XV hosted Old Brodleians RUFC in their cup game.

After some very promising performances and notable results in recent weeks, the men’s first XV made the long journey to Ossett RUFC to contest their Yorkshire Two league encounter. North took a strong squad, looking to put up a strong fight against a well organised outfit. It was Ossett who made the livelier start, probing the Northallerton defence right across the pitch before spotting a defensive mismatch and, with the help of some slick offloading, managed to secure the first converted try of the game. This early shock breathed life into the visiting team and from the restart, North imposed themselves on the hosts, showing some of the dominant form at lineout and scrum time that has guided them to recent victories.
The benefit of a solid set piece shone through as from this, it was the turn of new centre Shayne Anderson to demonstrate his strength and speed, battering a hole through the defence before imitating the home side and off loading to fellow centre Tom Peacock to sprint clear and score North’s retaliatory try out wide. The valiant defensive efforts from Ossett made another try difficult to muster so the visitors opted to take kicks at goal when possible. An entertaining drop goal attempt from captain Jack Tart gave the supporters on the touchline a chuckle before fly half Jedd Bainbridge showed his reliable boot by knocking over two penalties in quick succession to take North into a 7-11 lead. Not content with the backs scoring all the points, prop forward Ed Meek combined beautifully with scrum half Will Robinson to take an inside pass from the ruck and dive through a gap to score another try. On the stroke of half time, Bainbridge kicked his third penalty to take both teams into the break with North holding a commanding lead of 7-19.
It was a steady start to the second half as both teams attempted to secure the vital field position needed to launch an offensive on the try line. Clever kicking from Bainbridge and Tart gave North the upper hand and, taking full advantage of the offer, Anderson powered his way through the defence once more and scored a try for himself. This surge in energy from North opened the game up and their following try came after a flowing move involving forwards and backs saw the ball delivered crisply into the hands of fullback Tart who finished neatly in the corner to further the visitor’s lead.
The resolve of the Ossett team was clear for all to see. It was not long before they built some momentum of their own and, once again through powerful running and slick off loading they scored their second converted try of the game. In order to arrest this swing of possession, North looked to batten down the hatches at the set piece and, despite losing a flanker to a sit down in the sit bin, the pack managed to drive their opposite numbers over the line from a short distance attacking scrum. Iain Swall at number eight controlled the ball at the base to score the try. Bainbridge converted the try. It was prop Phil Swall who began the move to score the last try of the day, drawing in two defenders, he slipped a pass to flanker Freddie Bulman to put him clear through in a one versus one situation against the full back. Opting for the safer option, he took contact, recycled the ball and Iain Swall scooped up the ball to dive over the line.
This drew the game to a conclusion with the final score reading Ossett 14 – Northallerton 43. A terrific game of rugby to watch and another victory for this fast maturing team. Many thanks to the referee for officiating the match, to Ossett for their generous hospitality and the many supports who travelled to watch and cheer on the lads.

The men’s second XV took their turn to host local side Wensleydale RUFC at Brompton Lodge for what proved to be a low scoring, but closely fought game of rugby. Both sides fielded teams mixed with age and experience. Some promising results in recent weeks for North had given the lads a lift in confidence, however this day proved to be a challenge too much. Despite tremendous effort levels all round, it was the visitors who ran out eventual victors with a final score of Northallerton 12 – Wensleydale 14. Many thanks to the referee for officiating the game, to Wensleydale for travelling in good numbers and to the many supporters and volunteers at the club who help make the games happen.

The ladies’ first XV were the hosts at the Lodge against Old Brodleians who had come to play their cup encounter. A lively start to the game from both sides was brought to abrupt halt with an unfortunate and serious injury to one of Brodleians players. The match was abandoned by mutual consent and will be replayed at a later date. Northallerton RUFC wishes the Brodleians player a speedy recovery and looks forward to their return to the club later in the season.