It was another busy weekend for Northallerton RUFC as the club hosted Ossett RUFC in the men’s first XV Yorkshire two league match whilst the ladies’ first XV travelled away to play Penrith Panthers in their return NC2 league fixture.

The men of Northallerton’s first XV had the pleasure of welcoming Ossett RUFC to the Lodge. Having tasted victory in their previous encounter this season, North faced their opposition with enthusiasm as they looked to get back to winning ways. A strong, hard carrying start from Ossett focused the minds of North as they were forced onto a defensive footing for much of the early exchanges. Strong tackling from one to fifteen meant that there was no way through to the try line for the visitors, often being stopped only a few metres short of the goal line. The dynamic back row of Clark, Burgin and Meek were often seen snaffling possession away from their opposition whenever a chance presented itself.
North’s customary dominance at scrum time was causing some issues for the visitors, who were often having to get the ball in and out as quick as possible as they came under pressure from the front row of the home side. This pressure translated to a attempted kick at goal from Ossett which didn’t quite make it between the uprights, however the message was clear that North’s defence was going to take some breaching. Indeed, much of the first half was played in a tight fashion as neither side was able to take advantage of the opportunities on show. After around half an hour of rugby, Northallerton found themselves camped inside the Ossett 22 metre area. Relentless pressure from the hosts yielded a penalty infringement at the breakdown where, the sharp thinking of captain Jack Tart saw him take a quick tap, throw an outrageous dummy and dart through the defence to cross the try line untouched. The conversion was kicked from in front of the posts to extend the lead.
The resolve of the Ossett players was clear for all to see as they continued to frustrate North for the remainder of the first half until, on the stroke of half time, an attacking scrum five metres out from the try line gifted North the chance to attack once more. Tart repeated his earlier efforts by throwing another dummy and cantering over the line to score his second converted try.
North had the bit between their teeth as the game recommenced for the second act. Using their powerful forward carriers and pace out wide, North were able to stretch the Ossett defence and punch through on multiple occasions however, the determination and scramble defence of the visitors kept North at bay for much of the second half. Devotees to the art of scrummaging would have enjoyed large parts of the second half, numerous handling errors gifted the opportunity for both sets of front rows and replacements the chance to become well acquainted. Nevertheless, from one such attacking scrum, North’s backs leapt into action, running a looping set play with perfect timing, they isolated a gap on the outside and delivered the ball to winger Matt Thompson who dived over the try line in the corner to score. A sublime touchline conversion from Tart extended the lead yet again.
From this point on, North were playing with their tails up, the game almost put to bed. Free flowing attacking possession for the hosts helped to pin Ossett back in their own half, unable to escape the onslaught. Fullback Ross Easdon showcased his pace and evasive running, slipping between two would be tacklers on the edge of the pitch to scoot round and score the bonus point try. Only a few minutes later, a loose clearing kick by Ossett was collected and passed to Easdon, who repeated the feat to score his second of the day and the last try of the game. Tart was on target once again with the conversion to end the game. The score line read Northallerton 33 – Ossett 0. A fantastic statement win at home for the team and some wonderful entertainment for all the supporters up and down the sidelines. Many thanks to Ossett for travelling in good numbers, thanks to the referee for officiating the match, and thanks to all the volunteers at the club who help make the day happen.

Northallerton’s ladies made the journey over to Penrith this weekend for the return leg of their league fixture. A lively start from the visitors had scrum half Trinity Earnshaw opening the scoring with an early try from a quick tap and go penalty on the opposition 22-metre line. She darted through a small gap and dotted down under the posts to take the lead. Fly half Ellie Readman comfortably added the conversion for the extra two points. North utilised Readman’s boot well in the initial exchanges, constantly making the home side retreat and forcing errors to regain the ball through their diligent kick chase. Thumping carries from captain Abby Rollings and vice-captain Gina Fothergill kept the hosts on the back foot in defence. Using the quick ball this hard work generated, North were able to ship the ball out wide, beyond a gathered defence and centre Cara Williams ran in North’s second try of the opening half. Readman was once again on target with the extras.
Keen to keep the pressure mounting and the home side guessing where the next attack was coming from, North moved the ball across the field with pace, eventually getting it into the hands of winger Amy Parker who pinned her ears back and left every defender in her wake as she crossed the try line in the corner to bring the score board to an impressive looking 0-19 in the visitor’s favour after half an hour of play.
A couple of unfortunate injuries to key players in Cara Williams and Emma Linthwaite threatened to disrupt the flow of North’s game, however the strength in depth that the squad has developed over recent years meant that the substitutes slotted in without disturbance. The hosts had looked threatening when in possession during the opening salvo from North, and when their chance came through a turnover in possession, Penrith showed no hesitation in turning defence into attack to cut North open and score their first converted try of the match on the stroke of half time. North were reminded during the half time talk that this game was far from over and, upon the resumption of play, the momentum Penrith had gathered during the end of the first half carried into the second and the hosts came out with all guns blazing.
Two tries for the hosts in quick succession rocked North, who watched with horror as their carefully mounted lead was overtaken. As North’s forwards looked to regain control of the game with continued heavy carrying, the back line tried to play their part with some slick handling to move the ball out wide and, though it didn’t always come off as intended, the visitors were able to keep the pressure on Penrith, even getting as close as being held up over the try line on one occasion. Sensing a special intervention was needed, Readman collected the ball and set off, stepping past defenders, slipping tackles before sprinting clear to score under the posts. Adding the extra points herself with the conversion, she dragged North back into the lead. Whilst Readman’s and the team’s efforts rallied the visiting supporters, it served only to rile up the home side further and their retaliation was swift. Another try from their electric fullback who was having a day to remember on the field levelled the scores heading into the last quarter of the match. A tense encounter on an unfamiliar artificial pitch wouldn’t be how most players would choose to make their debut however, Sophie Bedford was not to be deterred and happily took her place on the wing in her first appearance for Northallerton RUFC. Diving straight into the action, she took out the opposition prop forward with an aggressive, low tackle and carrying well in possession. But for an excellent piece of scrambling defence from the hosts, Bedford would have marked her debut with a try, instead being hauled down just short of the line.
Once the Penrith prop had finished shaking off an ankle niggle, she found herself clattering towards the North try line, dotting the ball down near the posts. With only five minutes left to play and trailing by seven on the scoreboard, North threw absolutely everything they had at a resolute Penrith defence in a desperate search for the win. In spite of their great efforts with the ball, North were unable to procure the necessary score and were held up over the try line in the play that ended the match. The final score read Penrith 33 – Northallerton 26. A third league defeat on the bounce for North however some great lessons to be taken from it and as always, a faultless level of effort from the team. Player of the match was awarded to Ellie Readman, forward of the match to Gina Fothergill and back of the match was given to Amy Parker. Many thanks to Penrith for their generous hospitality, to the referee for officiating and to all the supporters who travelled to cheer on the team.