On a glorious Autumn afternoon Harrogate Pythons error count gave West Leeds a 46-15 home win. For most of the game The Pythons played better rugby but defensive errors cost them dearly.
Within 5 mins the home side were 14-0 ahead thanks to a quick tap penalty and an awkward bounce. Returning Pete Millward and Will Milnes dominated the midfield with some powerful running making the home side concede penalties. Pressure on the home line saw George Booth held up over the line following a period of controlled phase play. A Jed Carr penalty gave The Pythons a 5m line, Hugh Tatlow catches cleanly and drives over the line, Carr adds the extras 14-5 on 15mins.
The Pythons carriers dominated the next phase with Millward, Milnes and Booth gaining ground. Frustrated, the home side give away another penalty and Carr narrows the gap, 14-8. Unfortunately, influential Sam Rowntree was injured and forced to leave the field. Marcus Fotherby stole a line out, The Pythons move the ball but another high tackle by the home side gives Carr a penalty and West Leeds a yellow card.
The home side return a poor clearance kick, 50/22, and have a line out on The Pythons 5m line. Fotherby steals the ball again and the lines are cleared. West Leeds win the resulting line and carry the ball into midfield on The Pythons 22, a gap in the defence is spotted and West Leeds score under the posts, 21-8.
Debutant Josh Horrocks ran strongly out of defence carrying the ball deep into the home half. West Leeds turn the ball over and mount another wide attack scoring in the corner 26-8. Liley’s men win the restart and the ball carriers Tatlow, Millward and Milnes drive closer to the line. Freddie Abrahams control the phases close to the line and Jordan Payne spots a gap to score next to the posts, Adams with the extras 26-15 half time.
The home side use width and pace again to score twice early in the second half, 38-15. West Leeds receive a second yellow for a high tackle. The Pythons create opportunities in the set piece but handling errors give the home side clearance kicks. Tatlow breaks along the wing and feeds supporting Horrocks only to be pulled down yards short. West Leeds are awarded a penalty 20m out and opt to add 3, 41-15 before using width again to score in the corner 46-15 final score.
After the game Coach John Liley said, ”Pythons again fell foul to not capitalising on the chances we created. Several scoring opportunities went by the wayside. On the flip side, every mistake we made was punished by West Leeds. We also gave the opposition 14 soft early points that gave them confidence and us a battle to make up the points. The plus side is that we are creating scoring chances. We now have to be more ruthless when these appear.”
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