The weekend brought matches for both of North’s first XVs as the men travelled away to play Bradford and Bingley RUFC in the league, whilst the ladies hosted a fierce encounter against Stockton Rockets RFC at the Lodge. What had been billed as a double header bus trip for North’s senior men’s teams against Bradford and Bingley RUFC was watered down slightly by the late rearrangement of the second XV game due to available numbers on Bradford’s part. Not to be deterred, the squad pushed ahead and made the most of a bus trip, clearly enjoying both the journey there and back.

Still recovering from the long trip, North took the first quarter of the match to come to their senses. During this period, the hosts managed to notch up twenty-eight unanswered points through a combination of their aggressive forward carrying and slick handling in their back line. Jolting out of their reverie, North began the arduous process of clawing their way back into the game. Initial breakthroughs came as expected from the strength of North’s forward pack, giving some momentum to the visitors from the set piece scrum and lineout. Interesting link up play between the back row carriers and North’s backs helped to create mismatches in the midfield which opened holes and took the away side over the advantage line on multiple occasions. It was fly half and captain Jack Tart who found his way to try line first for North, using the lure of his outside runners he fixed the defence in front of him before throwing a dummy pass to open the door and slide between the onlooking tacklers. Setting up a one versus one situation with the host’s full back he chipped the ball over his head only to regather with the favourable bounce and race away to score. Converting his own try, Tart ensured the full seven points came North’s way.
In spite of the power North’s forwards could bring, it was the backs again who managed to cross the whitewash and reduce the arrears further still. A set play move from the backs prised the defence open and centre Shayne Anderson blasted his way through before rounding the full back and scoring the visitors’ second try of the afternoon. Tart was on target again with the conversion. This swing in momentum took both sides to the half time break with North managing an air of respectability to go into the break 28-14 down.
On the resumption of play, the momentum gained by North had been retained to great effect as the next score in the match went to the away side again. The lineout, which is quite often a potent weapon for North, came fully to bear on the hosts and set play up for an early assault on the home side’s goal line. Several phases and a perceptible increase in pressure later and it was number eight Iain Swall who battered his way over the try line to narrow the deficit once more. The pressure from North continued to mount however, having endured a significant portion of the game on the back foot since their opening frenzy, Bradford and Bingley were able to wrest control of the game back into their hands. An injury to Anderson in the centres forced him to leave the field early, creating the opportunity for North to dip into the vast experience they had brought on the bench. Despite admirable efforts to continue the fight, North seemed to run low on attacking routes towards the end of the game. Indeed, much of their later efforts went toward stemming the attacking plays of the home side who were exuberant in the variety and aggression of their offensive game. As the match reached its culmination, a last try to the hosts rounded out the encounter with a final score that read, Bradford and Bingley 38 – Northallerton 19. Many thanks to Bradford and Bingley for their generous hospitality, to the referee for officiating the match and to all the supporters who travelled either on the bus or under their own steam to cheer on the lads.

The ladies’ first XV hosted Stockton Rockets at the Lodge for a hotly anticipated, top of the table clash. The visitors started well and clattered over the try line inside the first ten minutes to open the scoring before converting their effort to take an early lead. This woke North up to the situation and, having soaked up the pressure, they replied with a try of their own courtesy of captain Abby Rollings. Fly half Ellie Readman kicked the conversion to level the game. A long stint of back and forth play showed why these two teams are at the top of their league. Everything one side attempted was quickly cancelled out by the other. The scrum for North proved a point of difference and they managed to gain the upper hand over their opponents. The versatility of North’s squad has been one of their strengths throughout the season and, even when losing a prop to injury, the willing Gina Fothergill reprised her role to great effect.
The fine balance of the game was evident until the close of the first half when Stockton managed to move the ball quickly out wide, finding a space on the margins and scoring a try to move ahead on the scoreboard.
The home side came out swinging at the start of the second half with Readman leading the charge. Slicing through the visitor’s defence like they were stuck in the mud and scoring under the posts to bring the game level. The stalemate of much of the first half seemed a distant memory as the try scoring began in earnest. Stockton notched up two tries in quick succession to retake the lead and looked comfortable at times in their position. It took a mighty effort from North to stem the flow of the Stockton onslaught. By holding onto the ball and fighting to keep possession North were able to build up a spell of pressure that resulted in a well worked try as flanker for the day Emily McCormack received a pop pass to dive through a gap for the line. With Readman adding the conversion the gap was narrowed to 19-24.
Another lengthy spell of play followed where the tussle of the game resumed once more. An moment of confusion for North opened the door to Stockton once again and they slipped through to score another converted try. North were swift in their retaliation and scored a try through Lucy Robinson to keep themselves in contention. The nippy winger slipped past two would-be tacklers to score out in the corner.
Stockton thought they had the last laugh in the game with a converted try in the closing minutes however, with the last play of the game North found the energy and resolve to mount a last attack on the try line. Pressuring Stockton from the restart, they pinned them back on their own try line and quick thinking from scrum half Trinity Earnshaw allowed her to see a flat pass out beyond the reach of the rampaging forwards into the hands of Readman who dived clear over the line to end the match.
The final score read Northallerton 29 – Stockton 38. A tremendous game of rugby to watch for the neutral that lived up to its billing. Player of the match was awarded to Ellie Readman, she also picked up the back of the match award as well. Gina Fothergill was awarded forward of the match.
Many thanks to all the supporters and volunteers at Northallerton Rugby Club who help to make the day happen. Thanks also to Stockton Rockets for travelling in good numbers and the referee for officiating the match.

For any readers who would like to join the rugby club, please contact the club on social media for more information, or come down to the club house. 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.