HARROGATE RFC 17 v DMPRFC 34

Additionally, it is probably the last time DMPRFC will visit that ground, as regardless of the outcome of the league season, Harrogate RFC will be playing their rugby elsewhere come next season.

On a day perfect for rugby, the DMPRFC faithful had travelled the relatively short distance in numbers to support their charges and were not disappointed.

DMPRFC were stunned early doors however, when the home winger squeezed in the corner for a try, which was well converted wide out (7 – 0) after only two minutes on the clock.

Both teams then proceeded to test out their opponent’s defences, but it was at the breakdown where the game the game was won and lost, as Harrogate fell foul of the official time and time again, resulting in a glut of yellow cards, adding to their demise.

DMPRFC hooker, Ross DONEGHAN received a nasty cut above his eye and although he returned from the blood bin and tried to play on, his game was over too early, as Ross WHITE deputised.

The first of Harrogate’s five yellow cards came on 14 minutes, when the home hooker was sent to ‘the cooler’ for a breakdown infringement.

The visitors responded in kind with a try from busy centre Callum MACKENZIE, (5 – 7) converted well from the touchline by Gavin PAINTER (7 – 7).

Honours were pretty even, as the game progressed, with good defence from both teams, as the each tried to run the ball as often as possible.
With an horrendous run of injuries again afflicting DMPRFC, prop Josh BAYFORD was then retired tactically, as it was deemed prudent to do so, with replacement Ben SIMPSON taking the field.

Harrogate added to their tally with a well struck penalty as the visitors strayed offside on twenty seven minutes (10 – 7).

DMPRFC replied in kind, when Gavin PAINTER also was successful with a penalty kick (10 – 10), but Harrogate lost another player to the bin resulting from the penalty, when a home flanker again fell foul at the breakdown.

Honours were even at oranges and with the game finely poised, there was high expectation from both sets of supporters for the resumption of play.

DMPRFC were again struck by the loss of key players, as Liam RILEY and Tom KILL failed to show for the second half, with replacements Ollie HODGSON and Lewis JOHNSTON taking the field.

DMPRFC started the more purposeful and were rewarded with the first of full back Henry ROBINSON’s brace, after good support play (10 – 15).
The conversion was also successful from Gavin PAINTER (10 – 17).

Not to be outdone, the home side responded with a try of their own, which was converted, to ease draw the sides level (17 – 17).

Harrogate then conspired to add to their own downfall, as they were penalised with two yellow cards in quick succession in the 49th and 52nd minute and during the period that they had only 13 players on the field, DMPRFC punished them, with two quick unconverted tries, the first from Henry ROBINSON, followed by a try from Gavin PAINTER, which he converted himself (17 – 29).

This proved decisive in terms of the game and although when returned to a full complement of players, Harrogate tried to rally, another yellow card for ‘mountaineering’ in the ruck over visiting players, borne out of frustration, hastened their demise and a final try from DMPRFC’s Shaun McCARTNEY (17 – 34) after a brilliant offload from Henry ROBINSON, consigned them to their fourth consecutive league defeat.