Yorkshire Review: Harrogate hang on to ease drop fears | Tigers toppled by Lions

Harrogate claimed a crucial bonus-point win at home after holding off Luctonians 26-24 in a tense battle in National Two North.

Centre Keane Naylor went over for the hosts after five minutes, with stand-off Sam Fox kicking the extras for the first of three conversions in the game.

Luctonians hit the front midway through the half, but prop Connor Ward went over to restore the hosts’ lead on the stroke of half-time at 12-10.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

After the restart, the visitors went back in front after Monkley went over, but two tries in the space of four minutes from wing- forward Guy Coser and winger Oli Rosillo gave Harrogate a commanding lead.

HEADING FOR VICTORY: Harrogates Olly Rosillo, above, tries to escape the clutches of Luctonians Henry Monkley.  Pictures: Gary LongbottomHEADING FOR VICTORY: Harrogates Olly Rosillo, above, tries to escape the clutches of Luctonians Henry Monkley.  Pictures: Gary Longbottom
HEADING FOR VICTORY: Harrogates Olly Rosillo, above, tries to escape the clutches of Luctonians Henry Monkley. Pictures: Gary Longbottom

However, they found themselves in trouble near the end when Brady was sent to the sin-bin and Dodd went over for the visitors with two minutes to play. The hosts, however, held on for a slender but crucial victory which leaves them fourth from bottom.

In the same division, Sheffield Tigers’ losing run continued as they were beaten for the 10th consecutive league game, this time going down 32-17 at Leicester Lions.

Tigers flew out of the traps and looked to be in control, scoring three tries and leading 17-8 at the break. But they imploded in the second half with the Lions running in four tries.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Otley also fell to a defeat in National Two North, 26-12 at Chester, with Max Johnson kicking four penalties.

HEADING FOR VICTORY: Harrogates Olly Rosillo, above, tries to escape the clutches of Luctonians Henry Monkley.  Pictures: Gary LongbottomHEADING FOR VICTORY: Harrogates Olly Rosillo, above, tries to escape the clutches of Luctonians Henry Monkley.  Pictures: Gary Longbottom
HEADING FOR VICTORY: Harrogates Olly Rosillo, above, tries to escape the clutches of Luctonians Henry Monkley. Pictures: Gary Longbottom

Wharfedale’s game also fell victim to the weather.

Huddersfield took five points from a 31-7 Yorkshire derby victory over Hull in National Three North to strengthen their position at the top of the table.

Chris Bell opened the scoring with an early penalty, before Brandon Conway, Joel Hinchcliffe and Elliot Hodgson all went over to give the hosts a commanding 24-7 lead at the break.

Hull dug in and it was a tighter second half, but Nick Sharpe scored a try seven minutes before full-time to secure the bonus point for Huddersfield, with Bell making it four out of four conversions.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Saturday’s other Yorkshire derby between Morley and Sandal was postponed because of ground conditions at Scatcherd Lane.

Doncaster Phoenix finally ended their losing sequence when they scored four tries in a 26-15 win at bottom-placed Stockport.

Phoenix conceded a penalty after six minutes but swung the game in their favour with first-half tries by winger James Wright and full-back Will Burden, both converted by Ben Millar.

Stand-off Millar also converted a try by scrum-half James Thompson in the first minute of the second half, but the kick was missed when Millar touched down for the bonus try in the 68th minute.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Sheffield ran in seven tries – including a hat-trick from scrum-half Steve Depledge – on their way to a 44-7 victory over Lichfield at Abbeydale Park to stay in contention for the National Three Midlands title.

Pocklington went top in North One East when they scored six tries in a 36-0 win at Percy Park.

Brothers Jack and Joe Holbrough scored the first two tries, and captain and scrum-half Ben Rees scored with the last play of the first half, Jonty Peters converting to put the visitors 17-0 ahead. Joe Holbrough, in the centre, touched down again two minutes after the restart for the bonus.

A fourth penalty goal from stand-off Gerhard Nortier with three minutes to go saw Bradford & Bingley claim a 12-12 draw at previous leaders West Hartlepool.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Pocklington now lead by two points from Hartlepool, but their main threat comes from third-placed Penrith, 21-3 home winners over Alnwick, who have a game in hand and who are five points adrift.

Driffield moved back in front of Malton & Norton with a 17-14 win at Kelleythorpe.

Bottom club Wheatley Hills opened with a try by centre Liam Barker but found themselves down to 12 men at one stage and eventually lost 22-7 at home to Morpeth.