Leicester suffer as forward power is the key

DOMINANT Harrogate scrummaging throughout kept them in control to record their first win.

Two second-half yellow cards gave Leicester some hope but they still failed to counteract the Harrogate forward power.

Harrogate won a strike against the head and No.8 Tim Heaton powered over for a try converted by Charlie Morgan.

Jon Boden’s penalty opened the visitors’ accoun but Morgan soon restored the advantage.

A towering Morgan clearance bought play back to the Leicester 22. Continued forward drives followed from the line-out and Sam Brady burst through the cover to score.

Josh Peace, Harrogate’s loosehead prop, had to leave the field with an arm injury just before the interval but their scrum superiority continued.

Danny Matthews tucked in behind a 15 metres scrum drive for another converted try to make it 27-3 after 12 minutes of the second half.

However, Leicester refused to give up and Ben Spokes burst through to score a converted try.

Harrogate’s forward power forced Leicester to concede a stream of penalties but, in trying to go for the fourth try, they failed to add to their score.

At the death, Leicester showed admirable spirit in giving Harrogate’s defence a serious test but, in spite of Sam Brady being yellow carded, Harrogate held out.