Aspinall proves the inspiration as Harrogate cruise to derby victory

HARROGATE moved through the gears to cruise to victory after the Bees had closed to within three points midway through the first half.

Mike Aspinall's third-minute penalty opened Harrogate's scoring and, almost immediately, he set up the first try. A clever chip from the stand-off was gathered and the ball sped through quick hands for Steve Parsons to score. Aspinall's conversion made it 10-0.

The Bees' mini-recovery followed with Ryan Wederall touching down from a driving maul and Tom Davidson converting .

A high tackle led to Aspinall kicking a penalty and Harrogate tried to consolidate their position with wave after wave of attacking rugby.

The Bees defended well until, with half-time, Aspinall sent Ed Smithies over in the corner for a converted try.

Harrogate's defence was equal to the Bees' driving maul before they set up a series of attacking scrums. Peacey eventually powered over for a converted try.

Harrogate's Kyle Dench was yellow-carded but the hosts continued to attack and Aspinall's searing midfield break set up Parsons for his second try which the bonus point.

In stoppage time, replacement stand-off, Dickie Davies mesmerised the Bees defence, Jamie Broadley supported the move which was carried on by Parsons, who was tackled just short of the line. Open-side flanker Ed Maslaveckas snapped up the loose ball to score and Davies converted.

Loughborough Students 28

Huddersfield 19

Huddersfield paid a heavy price for a sin-binning just before half-time and eventually saw the ultra-fit students run away with the match.

Overall, Huddersfield could be pleased with many aspects

of their performance and if they can maintain this level for

the remaining games, they should be able to maintain their status.

The visitors started brightly with the benefit of the slope and the wind and two penalties by Chris Johnson and a try from Joel Hinchcliffe put them into a 13-0 lead.

But Tony Springwell was shown a yellow card just before half-time and the Students took full advantage, going over for a try either side of the break while Huddersfield were down to 14 men.

Loughborough, who had their strongest XV on show, always benefit from the extra amount of time they are able to put into coaching and fitness and both started to show as they used the elements well and ran in another three tries before Huddersfield grabbed a late consolation through Damian Clayton.