Travelling to Leyburn has probably been one of the most difficult away fixtures for The Pythons. Traditionally, Wensleydale have a big powerful pack and use them well to control the game. But, not this time. Roy MacKay’s men controlled the game scoring 6 tries with their defensive back line only breached once.
The early exchanges were even with both sides winning their own set pieces, play remained between the 10m lines. A Pythons scrum on half way sees Harry Parrish, filling in at scrum half, give Jed Carr the ball in space. Parrish finds Max Sharp who times his pass perfectly to Nick Bell to round the defence and open his account, 0-5 on 5 mins. Hugh Tatlow secures line out ball on half way. Parrish gives Carr quick ball releasing Jackson Hobson who is bought to ground and the phases begin. George Booth charges into the home 22 and sets the ball. Parrish spins the ball to Jack Whiting who off loads to Sam Rowntree forcing his way through. The ball is set again, quickly out to Hobson, Ben Pryor and Sharp, Bell uses his pace to once again round the defence for his second. Carr with the extras, 0-12.
Carr hits the upright from a penalty attempt and Sandy Dunlop gathers the rebound to feed Carr who scores under the posts, 0-19 on 30mins.
Dale need something on the score sheet before half time and threw everything into their next offence. An overlap is created and Dale breach the back line to score in the corner, 5-19 half time.
The home side continue with their pressure forcing The Pythons to defend. Some great work at the breakdown by Will Milnes earns a penalty. Carr drills the ball to the home 5m line. Tatlow wins the lineout and combines well with Luke Korba held just short. The Pythons re cycle the ball and Carr is bought down at the base of the post. Dale concede a penalty, 5-22.
An attacking scrum re set several times gives Parrish clean ball to pass to Carr. Bell runs a great line from deep to split the home defence giving him his hat trick and The Pythons a bonus point, 5-29. Carr adds the extras.
Dales frustration in defence gives Carr a chance to get his forwards back to the home 5m line. Milnes charges for the line and Dale are penalised once again. Carr takes a quick tap to Tatlow with Dale having little chance of stopping the captain from 5m. Carr adds the extras, 5-36. With full time getting closer The Pythons move the ball again through several short well timed passes. Bell is on the end of the final pass to score his fourth in the corner, 5-41 full time.
After the game, Pythons’ Coach John Liley said, “Pythons patience, determination and desire to win paid off again this week, on a difficult away trip at Wensleydale. Recording another bonus point victory, our third consecutive win of the season and to maintain our unbeaten season. With almost half a team unavailable for various reasons, Pythons have put in another accomplished performance, highlighting the strength of the squad at the club. Wensleydale have proved to be difficult opponents in the past, so to record a convincing win away, has further boosted the confidence within the squad following last seasons challenging campaign. Even more pleasing is that the squad are aware that we still have areas of our game to improve on, as we still haven’t performed to our full potential. We are certainly improving every week and the positive improvements bode well for where we are trying to get to. All the players made positive contributions allowing Nick Bell to score four of the teams tries.”
