After a two week delay to the season due to the extra dry summer and unplayable niches, Northallerton finally got the season off to a start with mixed fortunes.
Northallerton men’s first team made the long journey to Driffield on the east coast and put in a sterling effort before falling to a 67-20 defeat.
Despite the lack of pre season friendlies, North started well and put everything into their defensive efforts against a formidable Driffield backline.
Elder statesman of the team, Dan Luck lead the way with some intensive and bone crunching tackles. However, it was only a matter of time before Driffield finally broke through for their first try, followed shortly after by another out wide. This did not dampen Norths spirits as they fought back with a try from Seamus Talbot at the back of a rolling maul. North then surprised the home team with another try soon after. Captain Jack Tarte went on a sniping, mazy run before off loading for Tom Le Crosse to touch down.
The home team showcased their strength and power by scoring another two tries on each side of half time to resume a healthy lead.
In the second half Norths lack of match fitness told as the home team pulled further away with a number of foul breaking tries. North did however, manage to score two more tries from Phil Swall and Dan Luck to earn a 4 try bonus point.
Dan Luck earned the privilege and bragging rights of man of the match for North.
Next week North 1sts are at home to Malton and Norton seconds, kick off at 3pm.

Northallerton second team made the short journey up the road to play Darlington and returned with a well deserved 12-60 victory. Despite concerns about travelling with a couple of players short, North were met with the news that Darlington were also a couple of players short so the game was evenly numbered.
North were led by the vastly experienced joint captains Simon Warren and David Baker who’s combined ages nearly total the century.
Straight from the off North we’re on the front foot with debutants Archie Turner (of the famous Turner clan) and Steve Marshall both at the fore. It was however speed merchant Tom Vauvert who scored the first try, running the full length of the pitch to score an impressive try.
Vauvert added two more tries later on for his hat trick, plus additional tries for Nathan Harrop (2) plus 5 conversions, Turner (2), Cal Thomas (2) and one for Josh Bennett. Cal Thomas just edged Archie Turner for man of the match.
On Sunday Northallerton Ladies travelled to the opposite coast to the men’s team to play Penrith Ladies and returned with an excellent 7-34 victory.
Despite having a few missing for their first game of the season North fielded a mix of experience and youth combined with skill, speed and guile to out work the opposition.
Gina Fothergill set a brilliant example from the start and was nearly the first of the ladies to cross the whitewash only to have been held up over the line.
Soon after however debutant Molly Saggers scored her first try for the club with Ellie Readman expertly adding the conversion.
The game then ebbed and flowed with neither side managing to make the score keeper busy with North looking stoic in defence.
To their credit though, Penrith ladies persevered and managed the vital break through to level up the scores just before half time to set up a tense second half.
In the second half the terrible weather combined with the ferocity of Charlotte Hill and Lucy Christie’s defending caused a lot of handling problems for Penrith.
Amy Parker and Readman added two quick tries at the start of the second half to give North a 10 point lead. Lucy Christie added another to give North some comfortable breathing space. With the pressure off North began to play better rugby and added more tries from Fothergill and Parker. Fothergill even managed the final conversion - a rare occasion for a forward.
Forward of the match however was awarded to club stalwart Emily McCormack who showed age is no barrier as at the age of 40+ has converted from a centre to front row prop with ease and aplomb.
Back of the match was awarded to youngster Issy Andrew while Ellie Readman was the oppositions player of the match.
Northallerton Ladies next league game is at home to Novocastrians II on Sunday 11th October at 2pm and promises to be another humdinger of an encounter, but before that they head over to face Redcar Sirens this weekend for Round 1 of the Women's Junior Cup after a last minute entry!