Rish are beaten by champions-elect
RISHWORTHIANS were competitive, but Middlesbrough showed why they are Yorkshire One champions-elect during their 36-22 win.
The home side had the better of the second half, but were always having to play catch-up.
But it was two tries in the last five minutes of the first half which sealed the victory.
The Middlesbrough backs always looked dangerous with the ball in hand, but it was a converted try from a lineout
defensive line for a try, which Keith converted.
Before the break Keith scored another penalty to make the score 13-7 to Harrogate at halftime.
After an invigorated start to the second half, the visitors efforts were rewarded after just three minutes. Nunn ended a move, which saw the ball passed full width, from left to right, with a try in the corner. Milner missed the conversion.
Huddersfield skipper Lewis Bradley was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on directly in front of the posts shortly afterwards. Instead of taking the points from the penalty Harrogate which opened the scoring.
Rishworthians hit straight back. Scrum possession saw the
opted for a scrum but were unable to take advantage of their extra man. After getting clean ball they were penalised at the first ruck and Field cleared their lines. Milner then extended Field’s lead with two successful penalties midway through the final 40 minutes.
Harrogate had a chance to establish a good attacking position when they were awarded a penalty on half way after 70 minutes. However an athletic leap and flick by Nunn kept the ball in play and Field put the pressure back on their hosts. Harrogate then conceded another penalty and Milner decided to take a crack at goal from five ball come out for centre Finn Sutcliffe to score. Josh Kelly converted.
Rishworthians could not hold a pushover scrum for Middlesbrough’s second converted try.
Again the home men hit back with a Kelly penalty. As the break neared fly-half Andy Baggett’s inch-perfect crossfield kick, was gathered by the winger who passed for a supporting player to score. Right on the break the visitors scored again from a line-out.
It was all Rishworthians as the second half opened, although metres inside his own half. His valiant attempt bounced back off the cross bar.
Twice in quick succession Harrogate were guilty of kicking directly into touch. When play was brought back for a Huddersfield lineout the second time, Harrogate were penalised at the breakdown on their own 22 and Milner added another three points.
Huddersfield’s win and Blaydon’s defeat by Stourbridge means the two teams have changed positions at the foot of the league table, with Harrogate still firmly rooted at the bottom. This week Huddersfield host title contenders Rotherham Titans. ‘Boro hit back with classy back play for a try. The home men replied strongly keeping the visitors pinned in their own half until replacement No 8 Simanu Tusiga crashed over.
Rishworthians laid siege to the Middlesbrough line and were awarded a penalty try when centre Doug Heseltine was tackled close to the line just before he received the ball for a certain score.
Rishworthians kept up the pressure but could not add to their score and at the end allowed a further try from a lineout drive.