There was only the one game on the cards for Northallerton RUFC this weekend as the men’s first XV played host to Halifax Vandals RUFC in a fixture that has become a hotly contested encounter in recent years. Both teams play a similar style of rugby, with this often leading to close score lines and the wins being shared between the sides.

Northallerton started the game with plenty of direction and intent, looking to enact their favoured game plan of kicking to the corners, securing territory and then launching attacking forays from advantageous positions. Vandals, as they often have done, brought their power-based running game to the fore, looking to overwhelm the defences of the hosts with sheer aggression and physicality. The visitors lodged the first score of the days with a converted try, finding a soft shoulder after a prolonged spell of possession. This was followed by another try shortly after as North struggled to contain the off loads and repeated carries that the opposition’s forward pack had to offer.
The second gathering for North under the posts as Vandal’s second conversion attempt sailed wide gave chance for some words of wisdom to be shared and, with a renewed vigour and determination, the home side set about the visitors with a physicality to match anything thrown at them. This momentum brought several good try scoring chances for the hosts however the last pass seemed destined not to go to
hand and these chances went begging. As the first half looked to draw to a close, a last assault on the try line gave North a catch and drive opportunity. Bread and butter for this side. At long last their tenacity was rewarded with a well organised maul that saw hooker Seamus Talbot regather his pinpoint throw and steer the ball across the goal line. Jedd Bainbridge kicked the conversion to narrow the gap to five points on the half time whistle.
This confidence gave North something to play off and, for much of the opening exchanges of the second half they looked dangerous going forward whilst remaining resolute in defence. Some selfless disregard for personal safety in defence from many of the forward pack including Ed Meek, Connah Richmond, Matty Clark and Iain Swall saw North hold out the advances of the visitors. Bainbridge took full advantage of a penalty in kicking range to narrow the arrears to just a couple of points. Unfortunately, as the half wore on, the keen eyes of the Vandals players
eventually managed to find odd gaps appearing and some slick hands moved the ball into these spaces to score a series of tries that opened up a healthy lead for the visitors.
In spite of North’s valiant efforts, throwing all energy into their offensive play, the defence in front of them was too much to overcome and the game finished with a final score of Northallerton 10 – Halifax Vandals 26. Another fiery encounter between these two teams that gave both sets of supporters plenty of enjoyment to watch. Many thanks to the referee for officiating the match, to Vandals for travelling for the fixture and to the many supporters and volunteers who help cheer the lads on.
For any readers who would like to join the rugby club, the men train on Tuesday and Thursday 7pm, the ladies train on Wednesday 7pm and the juniors play on Sunday 10am. All ages and abilities welcome, please contact the club on social media for more information.