Harrogate capitalise on sin-binning after being rocked by Huddersfield

Huddersfield paid the price for a sin-binning just before half-time which turned an entertaining game the way of the visitors.

With both sides playing attacking rugby, it was hard to realise that the home side were as close to the bottom of the table as Harrogate were to the top.

There was an early exchange of penalties then Chris Johnson took charge of the match and put Huddersfield in the driving seat.

He landed a second penalty and then scored the opening try of the match, also adding the conversion to put his side 13-3 in front.

At that stage, Huddersfield looked set to pull off a shock win and even when hooker Andrew York powered over for the visitors' first try, another penalty by Johnson put his side 16-8 in front.

But the sin-binning just before the interval turned the game on the head. While the home side were down to 14 men, Harrogate ran in two converted tries to lead for the first time in the game.

Ed Smithies went over just before the break and outside centre Stephen Parsons grabbed a well-worked try immediately afterwards.

Back to full strength, Huddersfield continued to play good rugby and produce chances and they pulled back three points courtesy of the boot of Johnson to get within three points but Harrogate made sure they went home with the victory with a late penalty.

Hull Ionians 25

Caldy 41

Hull Ionians controlled possession and territory for most of the first half and were well worth their 25-17 lead with hopes of at least a bonus point try to come.

But the power of the Caldy pack had looked ominous and it proved decisive after the break.

Joe Wright kicked an early penalty but quick ball and a blindside break in reply saw Jon Nugent clear on the overlap to score, Richard Vasey converting.

Ionians' James Greene passed out of the tackle to send Will Greenwood clear, Wright converting before Adi Longbone also crossed.

Paul Arnold rumbled over for Caldy but Ionians came back with Oli Marns going through the middle and Wright's conversion bringing up his century of points for the season.

Vasey closed the half with a penalty and then Caldy took control.

Gavin Roberts first went clear before Arnold released Andrew Soutar to score on the wing. Vasey added a drop goal to help Caldy go two scores clear. In stoppage time, teenage replacement Alex Martland scored a jinking individual try on his debut to close the match.