Pythons Bonus Point win against Rishworthians
Harrogate Pythons 1st XV entertained Yorkshire 1’s seasoned Old Rishworthians looking to build on their away win at Leos in the season’s opener. But, it was the away side who struck first with an early penalty 0-3 after just 2 minutes. Jed Carr tied the score minutes later follow some determined work by The Pythons’ pack in the away 22.
Back on the offensive from the kick off The Pythons set their phased play. Carr got his back line moving through Ben Pryor and Jackson Hobson releasing speedster Nick Bell who is pulled down just short of the line. The ball is recycled, moved quickly to Luke Korba, once again just short, Pryor gets possession 10m out, steps the full back and dives over to score, 8-3 after 5 mins.
Saul Adshead carries the ball 40m from the kick off feeding Hobson who continues the run into the away 22 releasing Bell who this time beats the defence on the outside to touch down in the corner, 13-3 on 15 minutes.
Two quick scores from Rishworthians, following an interception on half way and a quickly taken tap penalty, sees The Pythons behind 13-17 after 30 minutes. But, undeterred the home side pile the pressure back on. Deep runs into away territory from Hobson and Pryor and a penalty gives Carr the opportunity to kick the ball into the corner. Hugh Tatlow catches the line out and drives towards the line earning a penalty 5 metres out. This time Tatlow catches the defence on the back foot, taking a quick tap and driving over for the try. Liam Kernoghan adds the extras, 20-17 half time.
Rishworthians change tactics after the break and look to gain territory through kicking the ball deep. The Pythons back three of Adshead, Bell and Joe Bentham carry everything back. With the pressure from controlled phase play Carr slots 2 more penalties, 26-17.
The Pythons’ pack continue the pressure with Korba, Ryan Gilfrin (on debut) and Adam Challis pushing the gain line ever closer. Tatlow secures line out ball on the away 22 and his pack drive closer to the line. Kernoghan, scrum half, spots a gap on the blind side and darts over to score gaining the bonus point, 31-17. An attacking scrum 10m out is again dominated by the home forwards, Tatlow picks up 5m out and powers over for his second. Carr with the extras, 38-17. Dominance in the set piece gives The Pythons a driving maul following a line out 20m out. Sam Rowntree bursts from the pack brushing tacklers aside to bullock over from 15m, Carr adds the extra, 45-17 full time.
After the game, Coach Roy MacKay said, “ A pleasing win made more so as there were 6 changes to the previous week’s team. Some fantastic handling and interplay between forwards and backs saw some excellent scores in the first half but indiscipline and carelessness meant Old Rish were only 3 points behind at the break. However a much more controlled performance in the second half enabled Pythons to score 25 unanswered points. It was a good team performance with a solid set piece combined with some very good counterattacking. Next week Wensleydale will provide the sternest challenge so far and a good benchmark of where we’re at. There is a good buzz around the club and we want to build on this excellent start.”
