Harrogate Pythons welcomed local rivals West Leeds to The Jim Saynor Ground for their second meeting of the season. Going down 45-15 earlier in the season John Liley’s men were keen to reverse the result. Leading 22-5 West Leeds came back strongly taking the score to 22-24 with 5 minutes remaining. Ben Pryor’s reliable boot took the game with the last kick, 25-24.
Early exchanges were just about even. West Leeds with traditionally competent backs used the width of the pitch well with Pryor and Will Milnes providing stern defence. On the one occasion a gap appeared in The Pythons’ defence WL crossed the line in the corner, 0-5 after 10 mins. The home side win a penalty at the breakdown on half way and Pryor drills the ball to 5m. Joel Misseldine finds Milnes at the tail and the drive to the line begins. George Booth peels off with the ball but is stopped inches short. Harry Butler spots the narrowest of gaps and burrows through to score. 5-5 . Leeds are quickly back in the home 22. They win a penalty in the shadow of the posts and, underestimating the resolve of the home defence, opt to run. The Pythons strength in the tackle forces a knock on. The home front row dominate the resulting scrum and Pryor clears the inevitable penalty to half way. Mattie Tuff shows he not just a scrummager and carries the ball hard with Milnes and Booth catching Leeds off side – Pryor to within the 22. Booth gathers a scrappy ball, feeds Rhys Cory who off loads to Butler, halted 5m out. Eddy Wilkinson continues the drive, Pryor brings Booth into the attack who spots Jordan Payne running a great line, he steps 2 players and with a flamboyant dive, crosses the line. Pryor adds the extras, 12- 5 on 25 mins. The home side begin to assert their dominance on the game with strong runs from Tuff. Kieran Martin, Milnes and Butler. Leeds concede penalties and Pryor’s boot advances the home side ever closer. Payne drives for the line, is halted inches short and that man Butler is on hand to force his way over for his second. Pryor’s kick clips the upright on the way over, 19-5 half time.
West Leeds concede more penalties at the start of the second half, Pryor kicks a penalty, 22-5 and Leeds are yellow carded. The away team’s response is totally unexpected. They score 2 converted tries in quick succession taking the score to 22-19. Pryor gets his players back into the game and the next 15mins belongs to The Pythons but frustratingly is scoreless. A lost ball in the tackle and Leeds pounce on the ball using their pace to move the ball quickly and score in the corner, 22-24 with 5 minutes left. Pryor’s men throw everything at the Leeds defence. His centre partner Harry Jackson gets the ball within 10m with a powerful run. Milnes, Butler, Booth, Payne are all halted by a defence desperate to cling onto their lead. The referee spots an infringement in front of the posts and brings play back for the penalty, Pryor bisects the posts, 25-24 and the ref blows for full time.
After the game Coach John Liley said,” We put in an awesome display for the full 80 minutes allowing us to take the spoils with the last kick of the game. Having had to make several changes and play people out of their usual positions we stuck to the plan throughout. Having created a significant lead West Leeds, as expected ,came back at us to take the lead with 5 minutes remaining. At this stage the wheels could have easily fallen off, but the character of the 18 players that contributed, pulled together to create the opportunity to win the game at the end. We proved that playing for the full 80 minutes and remaining focussed would pull us through in the end.”
The Whitakers Distillery Man of the Match awards was decided and presented by Toni Birch, RFU Council Member, to Harry Butler.The Pythons 1st XV next home game is on the 31st , a re arranged fixture against Old Rishworthian.
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