Harrogate Pythons travelled to league favourites Pocklington. Pressure was intense from both side sides in the early exchanges with each landing penalties, 3-3 after 10 minutes. The Pock full back kicks a perfect 50/22 and the quick throw in catches The Python’s defence on the back foot for the flanker to score in the corner, 10-3. Undeterred the away side make some determined ground with Jack Whiting bringing out some big tackles from the home side. Indiscipline at the breakdown allows Jed Carr to narrow the gap, 10-6.
Harvey Ward is tap tackled 10m out and The Pythons big runners Luke Korba, Will Milnes and Hugh Tatlow make the home defence work hard. A deep clearance kick puts The Pythons back in their own half gives Pock a shot at goal, 13-6.
Carr catches the defence out with a short kick off and the away pack sets up the phases with Jack Hall leading the way. Carr spots space behind the defence and slots a perfectly weighted kick for Henry Hazlem to race through and touch down in the corner for his first club try, 13-11. As half time approached Pocklington were back on the attack moving the ball wide. The Pythons tacklers were disappointed when the referee awarded a try in the corner following a lengthy discussion with the linesman, 18-11 half time.
The home side struck early in the second half taking the score to 31-11. The Pythons start to apply pressure from the set piece. Milnes takes clean line out ball and the drive begins. The defence crumble under the pressure and Sam Rowntree touches down, 31-18. Pockington score again 38-18 but The Pythons are soon back on the offensive. Tatlow secures another attacking line out and the drive begins. Desperate to hold the drive Pock collapse the maul, penalty try 38-25. Pock kick one more penalty, 41-25 full time.
After the game Coach John Liley said,” We put in a very positive performance, despite losing against a strong Pocklington outfit, and were still in the game with minutes to go and were very close to gaining a losing bonus point. The Python’s response to two heavy defeats in the last fortnight was exactly what we were looking for, and has instilled huge confidence and belief in the squad.
With the week break we now have, we have time to get injuries and knocks addressed ready for the second group of fixtures.
The performance showed we can compete, and have the ability to win, against the top teams in the league, Something that we already were after our first four league victories at the beginning of the season”
