Harrogate Pythons travelled to league leaders Dinnington looking to build on their last league performance against Beverley. Unbeaten so far this season, newly promoted Dinnington were under pressure straight from the kick off as Eddie Wilkinson barged through the centre field. Harry Butler continued the charge winning a penalty on the home 22. Ben Pryor was successful with his kick, 0-3 on 2 minutes.
Rhys Cory turned the ball over from the kick off and debutant Harry Smith put Connor Spence into space tackled into touch 10m from the home line. Some committed tackling from the Pythons mid field kept Dinnington pinned in their own 22. The home side spotted a gap and used pace to round the defence to touch down under the posts, 7-3. Two more converted tries took the home side to 21-3 within minutes.
Influential Pryor was forced to leave the field with a broken finger giving 2nd debutant Jack McGowan game time. Dinnington are penalised at the beak down and Smith punts the ball into the home 22. Hugh Tatlow secures the line out and Freddie Abrahams feeds Wilkinson who drives forwards, feeds Harry Jackson who continues play to Smith who off loads to supporting Jackson to score. Smith adds the extras, 21-10. Dinnington score another 2 before half time, 33-10.
Dinnington score again straight from the re start, 40-10. Undeterred The Pythons get back into the game. Smith kicks a penalty into the corner. Tatlow secures the line out and the power players George Booth and Marcus Fotherby get close. Tatlow breaks towards the blind side, is held up. Booth, Butler and Joel Missedine are inches short when McGowan spots a gap and dives through the defence to score, 40-15.
The Pythons mid field take control and Smith pressurises the defence with some accurate kicking. Tatlow wins good line out ball 5m out and the home side are penalised for collapsing the maul – yellow card. The ball is moved wide but is lost 10m out. An attempted clearance is charged down by Cory. Smith is fastest to react and scores converting his own try, 40-22.
Dinnington use a catch and drive from a line out to add to their score 47-22 but The Pythons fight back with some controlled phases putting Butler in range who score from 5m out – try bonus point. Smith adds the 2, 47-29. With the gap getting smaller The Pythons are again on the attack, Smith releases Max Sharp who times a perfect pass to Spence to score in the corner, Smith coverts, 47-36 with minutes left. The Pythons defence holds firm and wins a penalty in their own 22. With a second bonus point a possibility The Pythons run the ball but once again an interception robs them of possession and Dinnington score, 54-36 – full time.
After the game Coach John Liley said, “We travelled to league leaders Dinnington full of confidence following our victory against Beverley before the break. Our performance demonstrated the ability we have, as we broke through their defence on several occasions. With greater composure we could have kept the score closer throughout the game. Our never say die character however enabled us to gain a 4 try bonus point and with the last play of the game, we had the opportunity to go for the second losing bonus point. This didn’t quite come off and therefore the scoreline doesn’t really show a true reflection of the difference between the two teams. We are very much looking forward to our next run of league games to put things right”
With a break week coming up The Pythons next league game is at home to Goole on 22nd November, kick off 2.15pm.
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