Harrogate Pythons had their away win 5-41 overturned at home by a much improved Wensleydale team, 0-31. In front of a sizable crowd the Dale play makers exploited every error made by The Pythons.
The home team started well with Ben Pryor gaining ground in the centre. Dale were quick to respond with a well aimed penalty kick into the corner. Clean line out ball and the away pack barge over the line, 0-7. The Pythons were keen to get into their phase play Luke Korba and Sam Rowntree driving the gain line ever closer. Hugh Tatlow and Jed Carr were both held up short and Dale give away a penalty. Opting for the scrum, The Pythons conceded a technical penalty and Dale clear their line. Again, a well worked line out leads to a ruck on the Pythons 22. A gap appears in the defence and an alert away flanker races under the posts, 0-14. Half time.
Dale are awarded a penalty close to the home line, a quick tap is held by the defence but The Dale scrum half sees their number 8 running a great line, 0-19. Nick Bell and Bailey Bromberg use their pace to return the kicks but the away defence is firm. Dale change to a passing game, their centre places a perfect grubber kick through towards the line which is touched down, 0-26. With minutes remaining a close penalty is quickly taken, 0-31 full time.
After the game Coach MacKay said,” Unfortunately injuries and unavailability made selection all the more difficult. With different combinations once again, especially in the backs, it was no surprise that play was extremely disjointed against a very focused and much improved Wensleydale.
I cannot fault the efforts made by the players on the pitch but we could not convert the half chances we created or guarantee our set piece. Hopefully with the Christmas break selection will be made easier with more players making themselves available and returning from injury to the playing squad. Target for the new year will be consistency in both availability and training. The coaching team look forward to working with a reenergised group next year.
