Harrogate Pythons entertained fellow ‘mid tablers’ Old Rishworthian at The Jim Saynor Ground on Saturday. Rishworth have shown form in their last few games using a combination of youth from their colts team and experience utilising some familiar faces. Leading 19-10 at half time a period of lack of concentration in the last quarter resulted in the final score of 22-41.
The Pythons began the game well, turning over the ball straight from kick off. Freddie Abrahams uses a couple of phases to get his back line involved early on. He feeds Harry Jackson, at 10, who carries the ball at pace and straightens his line crossing half way. A perfectly timed pass gives Harry Brayshaw space to use his pace to round the defence and break into the Rish 22. A step round the full back and he scores under the posts. Max Sharp adds the 2, 7-0 on 3 mins. Rish level the score 7-7 on 6 mins following a quick tap penalty. The Pythons respond quickly with Sam Beagrie and Harry Butler breaking through mid field with some determined runs. Rishwoth concede a penalty under pressure at the breakdown and Sharp kicks to 10m. Hugh Tatlow secures the line out, Abrahams to Jackson and The Pythons use controlled phases to take the ball to 5m. Eddie Wilkinson, Jordan Payne and Joel Misseldine all threaten the line and inevitably Rish concede another penalty. Abrahams takes a quick one and feeds Butler who barges through the defence to reach out and score, 12-7 on 20 mins. Rishworth respond again and are quickly back in The Pythons 22. Some great defensive work from Rhys Cory, in the centre, and Butler halt the Rish advance. The ref spots an offside and Rish kick the penalty, 12-10 on 25mins. The Pythons win a penalty from the kick off. Sharp hits the 22, Kieran Martin secures the line out and the drive begins. Abrahams moves the ball wide and Rish are penalised again at the breakdown. Sharp finds the corner, Tatlow secures the ball and Abrahams brings players into to set phases across the field once again. 14 phases are set perfectly inching the Pythons to the line. A gap appears in the defence and Jackson uses a short pass to Tatlow who bullocks over the line, Sharp adds the extras, 19-10 on 30 mins. Straight from the kick off The Pythons are back on the offensive. Jack McGowan uses his strength to challenge the Rish defence and advance the gain line. Play is halted, rightly so, for an injury to a Rish player. The Pythons win a penalty from the resulting scrum. Sharp hits the corner and with a knock on in the line out the ref blows for half time.
Early in the second half influential Sharp is forced to leave the pitch with a recurring injury. Rish begin a period of sustained attack, but The Pythons defence holds firm. A penalty at the breakdown and Rishworth respect the home defence and kick through the posts, 19-13. The Pythons control play in their own half from the kick off but Rish’s determination forces a rushed clearance kick and a charge down on the home 22. A race to the ball won by Rish, 19-20 – they take the lead. Connor Spence, Beagrie and Brayshaw all use the wide channels to good effect, but the Rish defence holds. Beagrie leaves the field due to injury, and The Pythons are forced to make some serious changes in their line up. With 15 mins to go Rish break through mid field to score, 19-27. Pythons win a penalty on the Rish 22 and Abrahams takes the Pythons to within one score, 22-27. Although The Pythons mount some promising attacks the line isn’t crossed and in the last 5 minutes Rishwoth score 2 converted tries, final score 22-41.
After the game Head Coach John Liley said,” The analysis of Pythons games is beginning to sound like a broken record. The cliche deja vue yet again appears on another frustrating afternoon when Pythons showed the qualities to win this game but also produced enough errors to lose the game and allow the opposition to capitalise. Our defence stood strong throughout but the errors at crucial times in the match and in crucial areas on the field coat Pythons the game. With several changes to the line up once again led to increased pressure on the team but the Pythons players stood strong and proud in delivering maximum effort and producing some quality play at times. Pythons are certainly capable of better results, and whilst this result dented this season’s good home record, I am confident they will bounce back.”
The Whittaker’s Distillery man of the match was awarded by Dan Scott to Harry Brayshaw. On the 21st league leaders Wath visit The JSG, kick off 3pm. With the final games of the season under way league standings suggest only 2, possibly 1 team will be relegated. The Pythons remain at 9th in the league of 12 with 5 games left to play.
