Travels with Dinno (18/11/12): Harrogate

Well on a bright frosty autumnal morning we set off for the frozen north in search of Harrogate. I went there once or twice before to the convention centre but always by train. Everything was going well until we followed the directions provided by Google maps. We left the A1 at J45 and drove into Wetherby (I think). At this point it said to go through two roundabouts which we duly did and then ended up back at the A1 at Wetherby services.  Having retraced our steps and found a sign directing us to Harrogate we quickly made up for lost time.

We were not actually playing at the club but rather at the High School down the road. The pitch was not so much a pitch as a swamp. There were no facilities on the site. Note to the general organisers of such things. If you are shipping people half a mile down the road it would make some sense to ensure that there are adequate toilets and some food and hot drinks might be nice. Particularly since these are the facilities that you get at virtually every other ground. Rant over.

The first XV were simply unable to cope with Harrogate's style of play. They kept the ball moving and there was always support. They were well drilled in everything they did. Even with the Harrogate ref apparently doing his best to penalise his own side our lads just kept doing the same things and didn't seem to be able to work out that they had to try something different. At times they kicked away too much possession. The final score of 26 - 0 (which included a penalty try) didn't flatter Harrogate. Harrogate were able to pass the ball out in the tackle all the time.

Next up were the development team. Boy was playing at centre as the regular stand off had returned from the first XV. This was, as ever, a much closer match. Dinno took the lead through a try by Josh. After a brief period of domination Harrogate went over for a try which they converted. The score was now 7-5. There was plenty of effort and commitment, even if the Boy didn't think he had contributed. In once encounter he lost possession but got up and tackled the guy who had taken it and then pursued and caught the guy he passed it to. Harrogate scored again 12-5. After some good work the ball went out to Kieran who went in at the corner to score a try. 12-10. The referee called it as 12-12 and that would have been a fair result but Harrogate won.

Everybody watching agreed that it had been a fantastic game of rugby and the only difference was a conversion. If the development team need to learn anything it is to take their chances. They could have been out of sight at half time. They tackled hard, passed well and had better decision making. They keep the ball in hand and make it do the work. They are becoming adept at getting the ball out in contact areas. If as a very biased observer I have one issue it is that I would have liked to see Boy carry on at stand off as he has performed well there.

The development team are developing very quickly. It is noticeable that even in training the gap between the teams is closing.

Next week we have a training session I think and then a home fixture against Goole. Well see you at pitchside soon.