Harrogate would be looking forward to welcoming the Woldsmen this weekend. The last time Harrogate were in R1N they played both of their games at Kelleythorpe due to issues with their pitch – they won both of them.
Driffield would need to build a performance to get a result, and everyone was hoping they would do.
In the event, Harrogate were the best side the supporters have seen this season, but certainly beatable. They were well-organised and structured, clearly well-coached and a group of players used to playing a higher standard.
Driffield put in a much better performance than last week’s win, but the penalty count was far too high and Harrogate punished it.
The Harrogate back row was outstanding and the centres (including the rugby league replacement) were very good. They will be up there at the end of the season that’s for sure.
It was tough not to get the bonus point at the end for the Woldsmen, but some really positive signs of development – the Driffield young squad will focus on that, rather than the result.
- 14:00 – Kick-off
- 14:09 – Harrogate open their account with a try by Head, unconverted H 5 – 0 D
- 14:22 – Napier responds with a penalty H 5 – 3 D
- 14:27 – Head gets his second for Harrogate, again unconverted H 10 – 3 D
- 14:30 – Sharma scores another for Harrogate, converted McNab H 17 – 3 D
- 14:44 – Half time
- 14:59 – Nuu scores for Harrogate, unconverted H 22 – 3 D
- 15:04 – Dobson scores for Harrogate, unconverted H 27 – 3 D
- 15:10 – Angus Dinnell scores for Driffield, unconverted H 27 – 8 D
- 15:15 – Steen goes in for Harrogate, converted McNab H 34 – 8
- 15:17 – Hill goes in for Harrogate, converted McNab H 41 – 8 D
- 15:22 – Matthew Bowman gets one back for Driffield, converted Napier H 41 – 15 D
- 15:29 – Owen Scurry brings them closer to a try-bonus when he gets another, converted Napier H 41 – 22 D
- 15:32 – Brady gets Harrogate’s eight try, unconverted H 46 – 22 D
- 15:32 – Full time
The score line would have been higher if McNab had had a better day.
3rd XV beat Barton 53 – 20, with nine tries.
4th XV against Bridlington 2s cancelled as the opposition could not field a side.