Harrogate Pythons travelled to West Park Bramhope to face local rivals Ripon in the semi-final of The Yorkshire Shield. The game started with both side using the pitch width to move phases forwards. Some great defence by both sides kept play between the two 22m lines. Pythons concede a penalty and the resultant successful line out to Ripon allows them to use an overlap to score in the corner, 0-5. Pythons win a scrum 20m out, Hugh Tatlow picks and drives and Natsuki Barclay begins some controlled phases using Peter Milward, Will Milnes and Harry Jackson to batter the Ripon defence. Ripon are penalised, Barclay taps and goes feeding Tatlow held inches short. Ripon are penalised for ‘not 10’, Barclay taps again and feeds Harry Butler, no stopping him, Ben Pryor converts, 7-5. Ripon concede another breakdown penalty on half way, Harry Smith’s long range boot is successful, 10-5. Ripon gain possession from the kick off but lose the ball in a determined turn over by Sam Beagrie following some punishing tackles from Millward, Milnes and Jack McGowan. Ripon are caught off side and Smith pushes them back into their 22. Millward forces the drive, Barclay marshals play moving the ball wide to Smith then Beagrie – held up over the line. Play stops for an injured Ripon player left in Beagrie’s path. Butler carries the ball from the goal line drop out into the Ripon 22. The Pythons win a scrum, safe ball to Harry Jackson who releases Smith to begin a 30m run breaking tackles and beating defenders to score in the corner, 15-5. Back quickly on the offensive, Butler receives the ball 15m out and shows his range isn’t limited to 3m, he races over. Pryor adds the 2, 22-5. Ripon score just before half time, 22-12 half time.
Ripon score early in the second half, 22-19 and Pryor kicks a penalty 25-19 following some great passing between Freddie Abrahams and Max Sharp. Tatlow carries the ball into the Ripon half . The defence buckles again to concede another penalty. Smith into the 22, Marcus Fotherby secures the line out and drives. Sam Rowntree and Jordan Payne are held just short. Abrahams spots Butler who forces his way over for his hat trick, Pryor once again, 32-19. The Pythons control play moving the ball with confidence in midfield. Joel Misseldine breaks for the line and off loads to supporting Abrahams to score under the posts, Pryor with the extras, 39-19. Smith breaks hard from the re start and feeds Millward who makes a powerful 40m run before being pulled down just short. The ref spots an infringement at the breakdown and Ripon clear to half way. Turn over ball once again for The Pythons and Rhys Cory breaks from half way into the Ripon 22. He off loads to Pryor who returns the ball for Cory to charge 20m and dive over under the posts, Pryor once again, 46-19. Ripon’s under used back 3 show their paces in the dyeing minutes and score 2 tries, 46-33. Pryor uses his pace to weave through the Ripon defence. Pythons win a 5m scrum, Abrahams whips the ball to Smith to carry 2 defenders over the line and dab down to score, Pryor converts, 53-33 full time.
After the game DoR Tom Baxter said, “Really proud of the players, it was a whole squad effort. To get the win over local rivals makes it even more special. These are the games that mean a bit more, and I thought the lads handled the occasion really well. There was intensity, physicality, and composure when it mattered. What pleased us the most was seeing the players attack the game in every aspect and have the intent to play some fast, attacking rugby. It showed the work the group is putting in week to week. It’s a huge moment for the club, our first final in our history, and that’s something everyone involved should be really proud of. It reflects how far the club has come in a short space of time and the groundwork that has been laid before.” He added,” The club is growing off the field as well, especially with the development of the minis section starting next season. That’s a massive part of building something sustainable, and it’s very exciting to see the start of this pathway developing. Now the focus turns to Wath in the final. We know them well from the league, and we know it’s going to take our very best to get a result. We’ll enjoy this, but we will be doubling down our efforts to go again in the final. “
The Yorkshire Shield Final is on May 23rd and is to be played at Huddersfield Laund Hill RUFC, HD3 3XF, kick off 3pm.
