Harrogate Pythons 2’s 22 v Yarnbury 2’s 19
Saturday saw Pirates run out 22-19 winners in an exciting and close match against Yarnbury. The visitors started brightly and after just 4 minutes won a line out 15 metres out. Quick ball put Pirates under pressure, the ball swung out wide where the Yarnbury winger crossed the line near the corner flag. The successful conversion extended the visitor’s lead. From the restart they continued to apply pressure and only a strong tackle, from scrum half Ben Pye in midfield kept them out. Free running, quick passing and a wayward line out from Pirates kept the pressure on. 10 minutes in and a significant turnover by Pirates followed by good work in the rucks from the forwards and the momentum began to change. A pick and go opened a gap in the Yarnbury line and with more strong play from the forwards, Steve Smith was able to cross the line. The try was converted by Ben Pye to level the scores.
Yarnbury’s quick ball had Pirates penned back in their own 22 but the defence held firm. A couple of good kicks by fly half Steve Kirkpatrick relieved the pressure, only for Yarnbury to bounce back. A couple of decisions to run out from their own line caused anxiety among the home fans but the visitors failed to capitalise on their pressure. The teams went in level at half time.
Pirates started the second half brightly, with the forwards, in particular, doing good work in and around the contact zone. Ryan Bradshaw at number 8 looked lively and made good ground from a pick and go of the back of a solid ruck. This pressure built, resulting in a penalty for not releasing which Ben Pye put over the posts. Pirates were ahead for the first time.
Again Yarnbury came back strong. A long clearance by full back Harry Brayshaw looked to turn defence into attack but unfortunately Pirates were offside. Yarnbury pounced on the opportunity, moving the ball wide, creating an overlap for their left wing to cross the whitewash in the corner. The try was converted:10 -14.
The game remained finely balanced, with Yarnbury moving the ball more quickly but Pirates being stronger in the tackles and rucks. Gradually, Pirates strength began to tell, resulting in a penalty 5 metres out. A tap, followed by a quick pass wide, a slight fumble but momentum maintained with Joe Emery going over in the corner. Again, the try was converted for a 17-14 lead.
Pirates began to dominate this period of the game. Quick ball kept them pressing forward, earning a close-range penalty. Another tap, pass out to the left, a good offload from Will Smith allowed Jordan Payne to throw a dummy and cross the line. Ben Pye failed to convert so the lead was 22-14.
Yarnbury refused to roll over and for the final 10 minutes Pirates were under pressure. Yarnbury won the try 5 metres out, moved the ball left again and went over in the corner. Knowing the game was drawing to a close, Pirates remained calm, kept things tight and saw out the game for a well deserved victory.
