Hannan proves his value to Harrogate

Harrogate put in a sparkling performance to gain a deserved win in a highly-competitive match, with the power and skill of the No 8 Harry Hannan being the vital difference.

Returning winger Arnie Ellison opened the scoring after Mike Aspinall carved an opening from good line-out ball.

But Stockport’s Josh Longmore kicked two penaltuies to give the visitors the advantage before an Aspinall drop goal restored the home side’s lead.

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An Aspinall penalty shortly before half-time saw his team go in 11-6 ahead.

From the restart, Hannan again drove strongly through the midfield and a succession of Harrogate attacks followed. But a clever Longmore chip ahead forced Harrogate to carry the ball over their goal-line. From the subsequent scrum, Stockport drove strongly and Jordan Pearson crashed over to draw his side level.

A period of Harrogate domination followed which forced Stockport into conceding two penalties to make the score 17-11. Hannan again powered through Stockport’s midfield and released the ball to Aspinall who danced through the remaining defenders for a converted try.

Stockport’s Mike Bayssat scored a converted try to make life interesting near the end but Harrogate held on.

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Basic errors cost Otley as they spent most of the game playing “catch-up” rugby.

The main benefactor was former Otley No 8 Ollie Stedman, who bagged two tries, a conversion and a brace of penalties.

The visitors responded with a try when home lock Ian Robinson was yellow-carded, an astute kick by fly-half Tom Rock finding winger James Twomey with a little space but they immediately allowed Stedman to break away from a drive to crash over .

After the break, winger Dan Rundle went over for Westoe with Steadman converting before adding his second try.

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Otley were caught short-handed in their 22 and fly-half David Haswell slipped through, but winger James Wood came inside to find a way through to the corner.

Ryan Beattie then went over with Mike Booth converting.

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