On Saturday Northallerton men’s first team of only 17 instead of the permitted 18, made the scenic drive across the dales to play Wharfedale second team at Grassington.
North put in a resilient and improving display before running out of energy in a 29-22 defeat.
Straight from the kick off Dale pinned North in their own 22 and the away team struggled to relieve the pressure. After ten minutes Dale got their just rewards with a try near the posts. The ensuing conversion unfortunately hit the cross bar.
A few minutes later a Jack Tart penalty led to a North lineout about fifteen yards from Dales line. From the lineout North put into practise their well worked catch and drive for Matt Clark to level the scores with an unconverted try in the corner.
The remainder of the half was fairly even with neither team sustaining too much pressure, though North were unlucky to be held up over the line when a try seemed imminent.
Half time 5-5.
The second half was a lot more frenetic with the game too-ing and fro-ing quite a lot - which seems to be a common theme in Norths recent games.
Less than ten minutes into the second half Dale scored after a well worked backs move led to them scoring a converted try under the posts.
Again North responded quickly when three minutes later Jonny Baker dived like a big floppy salmon, spectacularly over the line for a try converted by Tart to level the score.
Straight from the restart North again failed to clear their lines proficiently allowing the home team to canter over the whitewash for another gift of a converted try.
Just after the hour mark the Dales winger received the ball in his own half, skipped past two attempted tacklers and arced round the covering fullback to score under the posts. The resulting conversion gave the home side a comfortable 26-12 lead.
Ten minutes from time the home team increased their lead even further when they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts for a tip tackle.
In the last five minutes, despite tiring legs and some walking wounded, North managed two tries to close the scoreline. Firstly Frenchman Tom Moules scored in the corner which was followed by another rolling maul touched down by Mighty Mouse himself, Seamus Talbot. Tart slotted home the conversion to give North a losing bonus point on top of their four try bonus point.
Man of the match was awarded to Norths other Frenchie, full back Tom La Crosse who just edged out Talbot.
Next week Northallerton first team are at home to Beverley with the kick off at either 2pm or 2.15pm - tbc.

Northallerton second team hosted Redcar Mariners at Brompton Lodge and despite an impressive looking line up, came off second best by a score of 22-35.
North were captained on the day by Lee Peake who was celebrating his 45th birthday, but played like he was barely 40.
Norths points came from Tom Vauvert, James Hopkin and Gareth Essex - this was Studleys 50th try for the club - Fijian assisted tries in the 3rd team do not count! Plus there was also a penalty try for North when Redcar had no answer to Norths front row of Joe Osleton, Paul Coyne and Joe Hargreaves.
Hopefully two or three of the star studded line up may be available for a few more games home and away.
Next week Northallerton seconds are awaiting fixture confirmation but are hoping to be away at Acklam.

Without doubt the hi-light of the weekend was Northallerton Ladies away game against local rivals Wensleydale Heifers.
Last season Wensleydale did the league double over North and have also never lost at home to North.
In a game that was tight all the way through, North finally recorded their first ever away win at Wensleydale by a score of 26-27.
North took the lead early on with Ellie Readman converting a long range penalty to take a 0-3 advantage. Dale then dug deep and played some good rugby to put the visitors under immense pressure.
The home teams non stop pressure paid off as they scored two quick converted tries to build a 14-3 lead after twenty minutes.
North grabbed a try back through the ever improving winger Amy Parker scoring out wide.
Norths joy was short lived though as Cara Williams received a controversial yellow card therefore reducing North to 14 players for ten minutes. Dale were quick to optimise the numerical advantage by creating an overlap to score and take a thirteen point lead. Less than ten minutes before half time North got back into the game with a try from Lucy Christie, again Readman added the conversion. Then, on the stroke of half time Dale struck again with another try to go in at the break 26-15 ahead.
In the second half North showed the grit and determination that had been drilled into them by coach Steven Robinson to slowly peck away at the opposition and grind them down.
Captain Gina Fothergill led by example carrying the ball into contact continuously, and she was finally rewarded with an unconverted try.
As the game wore on both sets of players began to tire and make mistakes. It was North though who proved that their squad strength in depth and quality replacements are the keys to success. With ageing prop and grandma Emily McCormack feeling her age, youngster Carla Luck was introduced hoping for a spank sorry spark.
With fresh legs and the quality off the bench, North Ladies grabbed the all important try when Molly Swaggers created an opening, allowing Christie to bag her second try to bring them within a point of the hosts. Ellie Readman showed no nerves as she calmly converted her kick for the lead. North then produced some excellent defending along with admirable restraint (not taught by Robbo) to not concede a penalty, as they wound the clock down for the victory.
Player of the match was shared between Cara Williams and Lucy Patey.
This was Norths fourth league win out of four, and it puts them at the top of the league with a healthy advantage.
Next week Northallerton Ladies are away to Workington with a 2pm kick off.