NORTHALLERTON first team produced an excellent 70 minutes of rugby on the away trip to Yarnbury on Saturday. Unfortunately the first seven minutes and the last three minutes cost them the game as they lost 17-15.
North started off terribly and dropped the ball twice in the first five minutes which let the home team over for an easy try in front of the posts.
After only seven minutes North continued to look in disarray as Yarnbury went over for their second try when a poor kick and chase was returned with interest for another try under the posts.
North slowly gathered themselves and managed to get back into the game.
After 15 minutes North were awarded two consecutive scrums and after the first was brought down, Iain Swall peeled off the back of the second to score. Ollie Watkins added the easy conversion.
North began to out work, out muscle and out play the opposition for long periods but failed to take their chances as clinically as the home team took theirs. As well as pushing Yarnbury back in the scrums, North also stole a couple of their lineouts, but were met with resolute defending.
On the half hour mark though, Yarnbury's second row was yellow carded for persistent infringements which gave North even more of an advantage.
Just before half time Joe Grieff went on a lung-bursting 30 metre run before off-loading to the supporting Ed Meek, who had somehow remarkably kept up with him. The ball was then recycled for Swall to go over for his second try. The conversion from Watkins fell just short. Half time 14-12 to Yarnbury.
Iain Swall collecting a lineout ball
North dominated the second half from the off and kept the home team pinned into their own 22.
Ten minutes into the half, an excellent break by Matthew Marsay looked a definite try, only for the Yarnbury number ten to put in a try saving last ditch tap tackle.
After 60 minutes, and more North pressure, Yarnbury’s flanker was yellow carded and from the ensuing Watkins penalty North took a slender one point lead.
Five minutes from time Watkins received the ball out wide and attempted a clearance kick downfield. The kick missed touch but Watkins was hastily following up his own kick, only for the referee to blow up and yellow card him for being offside. This gave Yarnbury the incentive and push they needed.
With one minute left, the home team were awarded a penalty 20 yards out and slightly right of the posts. The penalty kick hit the upright before being collected by the chasing Yarnbury pack. From the ensuing melee, the Yarnbury number ten executed an exquisite drop goal to put the home team back in front by two points.
North's restart then failed to go ten metres and the referee blew for full time which surprised a lot of the crowd but was also met with joyous uproar from the home supporters.
North's man of the match was Iain Swall. Next week North face another tough game on the road away to Wetherby.
Northallerton second team hosted Guisborough seconds at Brompton Lodge, losing 21-45.
North had two late withdrawals on the morning of the game and were left with only fourteen fit players. North's points came from James Ashworth, Ollie Faller Raw and a penalty try. Gareth Essex added two successful conversions.
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