Harrogate Pythons 1st XV vs Wensleydale RUFC

Saturday 24th October 2026 - KO 2:00pm

RFU Northern Division Counties 1 Yorkshire

Welcome back to Wensleydale RUFC’s players, supporters and Committee Members for the first meeting of our clubs this season. In our 2 meetings last season Wensleydale were victorious both home and away. In their last league fixture this season Wensleydale lost away at Yarnbury 61-15. The Pythons won at home to Doncaster Phoenix 83-14.

This is our fourth home game following the delayed start to the season. We will be kicking off all our home games for the season at 2pm, something other league members are doing and something our players certainly support. Welcome too to Simon Williams and his guests joining us for the lunch

Our referee for today is Mark Smith – his first time refereeing our 1st XV at The JSG, good to see you Mark. Big thanks to Dan Scott for being our touch judge today, did you manage to find those boots Dan?

Thanks to our great coaching team we’re applying the lessons learned in the training sessions and things are beginning to come together, let’s hope for a positive start to the season.

Dates for your diary – ‘Lunch With……….’ Warren Gatland at William & Victorias on 12th November, Annual Golf Day on 24th June at Oakdale Golf Club – see our web site for details.

Thanks to today's match ball sponsors The Harrogate Round Table.

With a bit of luck the weather holds fair and we’ll enjoy the game. Best of luck to both sides.

Julian Tatlow

Chairman, Harrogate Pythons RUFC

Message From our DoR Tom Baxter

Storm Austen is sweeping its way in, but the Pythons team will be looking to bring a storm of our own as we aim to build on last weekend’s emphatic 13-try victory over Doncaster Phoenix.

Last weekend was a statement of intent, the Pythons’ attacking threat, physicality and energy on full display. However, the challenge now is to ensure that performance becomes the standard rather than the exception.

Momentum is a powerful thing in rugby, but maintaining it requires consistency, commitment and a relentless desire to improve. The focus this week has been on carrying that same intensity into the next challenge, and ensuring we keep developing skills within our game to improve writhin certain areas. It’s important we make sure the standards we set ourselves remain high.

There is plenty to be encouraged by, but the season is built on what we do week after week, not just on individual results. The Pythons know that if they can maintain their energy, discipline and attacking intent, they have the foundations to continue building something special.

With Storm Austen approaching, the aim is simple: keep the momentum rolling, maintain our standards and deliver another performance that reflects a true Pythons performance.

Enjoy the game, and as always, thank you for your continued support.

COME ON PYTHONS! 🐍

Formed in 2005, Harrogate Pythons RUFC became an RFU Accredited Club in 2018 promoting rugby participation across our community and involvement for our players, supporters and club sponsors alike.

The Jim Saynor Ground at Station View has been our home since 2017. We share our clubhouse facility with Harrogate Railway Athletic FC and hope you enjoy our hospitality during the fixture. Join us at the bar for the usual post-match analysis and friendly debate. Our venue is also available for hire on match day for pre-match lunches and also for private functions at other times too.

Please view the rest of our website for more information about our club including membership, news & events and sponsorship opportunities etc.