Harrogate Pythons travelled to Bradford and Bingley for their first ever league meeting. The Pythons gained the early territorial advantage but were unable to convert it into points. Saul Adshead found space on the wing but The Bees defence held firm. Scrum advantage lay with The Pythons but possession and ground was given up too easily by some lack lustre kicking. Hugh Tatlow, playing in the centre, and Ed Challis made efforts through the midfield with some challenging runs. The Bees slowly showed their experience and used phases to move closer to the line. Steve Smith and Adshead halted the home winger in the corner, The Pythons took the line out and cleared their lines.
The Bees took a quick line out on halfway catching the defence on the back foot with the home winger rounding the defence to score under the posts. 7-0. Herbie Milton made a try saving tackle, The Bees use second phase to open up play and gain a penalty for a high tackle. 10-0. Mike Adams slots a penalty for The Pythons, 10-3 half time.
The second half saw The Pythons dominate territory once again. The Bees held firm and used The Pythons errors to repeatedly clear their lines. Challis, Rhys Cory and Tatlow carried from deep and with Harry Parrish into the back line off the bench the ball moved between the two wings Louis Dabhi-Green and Tom Stabler-Langan. Both were held up within 5m on the line until some concentrated forward phases released Stabler-Langan to cross the line in the corner, 10-8. The Bees were successful with a penalty, 13-8 full time.
After the game Coach Dan Bird reflected, “With some players playing out of position and some totally new to this level we did okay. We felt the game was there to be taken, especially in the second half, but it wasn’t to be. We’re still above The Bees in the table and Hullensians and Beverley remain on 2 wins so aren’t pulling away from us. We have several players back from injury next week and will field a strong squad.”
The Pythons are at home to 2nd place Wetherby on the 11th.
