Harrogate Pythons travelled across to Baildon to play the first round of The Yorkshire Shield.
In near perfect conditions The Pythons began well with Joel Misseldine held just short following a catch and drive from an early attacking line out. Baildon were quick to clear their lines and were soon pressuring The Pythons line. A deflected ball at a 5m line out was gathered by the home number 8 who bundled his way over the line for their first score, 7-0 on 5 mins.
Still thinking about their defensive lines the home centre brushed aside some indifferent tackling to score under the posts from half way, 14-0 on 8 mins.
The Pythons got their act together and were soon pressurising the home side. Jed Carr drilled a penalty deep into the home 22. Marcus Fotherby took clean ball and The Pythons pack advanced. James Goodard marshalled his pack from scrum half, Misseldine broke for the line but was held up short giving Baildon chance to clear. Line out again, this time Will Milnes secures the ball and Baildon have no answer to the advancing pack. Harry Butler breaks clear and scores the first of his clutch of tries, 14-5.
Baildon respond quickly with a penalty, 17-5. The Pythons were back in opposition territory and are awarded a penalty 5m out. Hugh Tatlow opts for the scrum and carries the ball close from the base. Goddard sets up two more phases and Butler crashes over under the posts for his second. Mike Adams with the extras, 17-12.
Both sides work the mid field with some controlled play. An attempted clearance from the away side was gathered by the home winger who rounded the defence to score under the posts, 24-12. Liley’s men reacted well to the score and were awarded a penalty from the re start. Goddard takes a quick tap and feeds Jack Whiting who makes good ground from 10. Goddard feeds the ball from the breakdown with supporting Misseldine carrying the ball well. Ben Pryor dummies and steps close to the line and pops the ball to on hand Butler for his hat trick. Adams adds the 2, 24-19 half time.
The Pythons used their possession to bring Thomas Roberts more into the game. His powerful running challenged the home defence. He wins a penalty 5m out and the scrum is called. Andy MacKay, on for Goodard, whips the ball to Whiting to cross over in the corner, 24-24. The Pythons big runners started to dominated play. George Booth and Luke Korba made ground through the centre field clearing the way for Tatlow to make 40m only to pass to the supporting Butler to touch down for his 4th, 24-29. Baildon slot a penalty 27-29 before a well worked line out move between Misseldine and Tatlow takes the ball within 5m. Alert MacKay spots Butler to notch up his fifth try, Pryor with the conversion, 27-36. The home side kick a penalty, 30-39 but had no answer to The Pythons powerful runners. Whiting breaks through 2 tackles and puts Connor Spence into the corner, 30-41. A desperate clearance kick is gathered by Harry Brayshaw in his own 22 to run through half the home team showing outstanding pace to score under the posts, Pryor with the extras 30-48 full time.
After the game Coach Liley said, “We returned to winning ways with a hard fought victory at Baildon. Having scored 48 points and yet still have plenty of areas of our game to improve on shows how much we still have to offer. With a squad of 20 players for the game it also allowed us the opportunity to give players some valuable 1st XV game time, as well as giving us the option to look at different player combinations. The victory has put everyone into a positive mindset as we return to league rugby with a home fixture against Wensleydale”.
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