Harrogate Pythons entertained recently promoted Yarnbury at a dull and wet Jim Saynor Ground. Although recently promoted the visitors came with an impressive league record winning 5 games from 8 leaving them in 3rd place.Yarnbury took an early lead, against the balance of play, with a slick move through their back line scoring next to the posts, 0-7 after 7 mins. The Pythons were quickly back on the offensive. Jack Whiting spots an advantage given by the referee and attempts a kick through the defence. Unfortunately the ball runs dead and the ref brings play back for the penalty. Pythons opt to scrum, Freddie Abrahams whips the ball to Pryor and the forwards begin their drive from the resulting maul. Harry Butler drives for the line but is held up. Pythons win a penalty from the goal line drop out and Max Sharp sends the ball back into the corner. Hugh Tatlow wins clean ball and the forwards begin their drive once again with Abrahams ‘conducting’ his forwards. Will Milnes peels off from the side and powers over for the score. Pryor adds the extras 7-7, 15 mins.Yarnbury kick a penalty and take the lead, 7-10 on 20mins. The Pythons begin their phases close to the Yarnbury line with huge carries from George Booth, Jack McGowan and Tatlow. In desperation Yarnbury concede a penalty 15m out and Tatlow opts to use his dominant scrum. Tatlow picks from the base and charges over to score, Pryor once again, 14-10 on 32 mins. Whiting judges a 50/22 kick perfectly, Marcus Fotherby takes the line out and the drive begins again. Yarnbury’s frustration leads to a penalty, scrum again. Abrahams uses the ball to get his back line moving. The supporting players are strong at the breakdown and the line gets closer. Ever green Russel Robertson burrows through the maul and gets the vital touch down, Pryor adds the 2, 21-10. Yarnbury kick a penalty before half time, 21-13.
Milnes, Butler and Tatlow set phases up early in the second half. Again Yarnbury give away a penalty and Tatlow opts for the scrum. The Pythons pack march forwards, Abrahams whips the ball out to Pryor who darts over the line from 10m, he adds the extras, 28-13. Yarnbury start moving the ball through their back line but the Pythons defence holds firm with some fearless tackling from Tom Roberts, Pryor and Hary Jackson. Some missed obstruction creates a gap and Yarnbury score their second try, 28-20 and then a 3rd 28-25. Some great play in the last few minutes took away Yarnbury’s losing bonus point as The Pythons big runners Sam Rowntree, McGowan and Booth forced the visitors deep into their 22. Abrahams controls the phases and release his back line for Sharp to feed Pryor to score in the corner, 33-25 full time.
After the game Coach john Liley said,” We put in an accomplished performance to record another home victory to climb up the league. In tricky conditions we made the right decisions and played the game in the correct areas of the field. With similar conditions to the previous week we took on board the areas we needed to address and on this occasion managed the game perfectly and were able to impose ourselves for the full 80 minutes. We were also able to absorb the pressure of Yarnbury’s attempt to get back in the game for us to see out the game. It may have not felt like it, but we won the game relatively comfortably in the end. We are now beginning to string some consistent performances together and are showing our true potential. With everyone putting the hard work in the future is looking positive.”
The Whittaker’s Distillery man of the match was awarded by Si Rodham to Harry Butler. Next week The Pythons 1st XV are at home to Hullensians, kick off 2.15pm
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