Harrogate 31 Lymm 36
Saturday 25 January 2025

In a highly entertaining game comprising 11 tries, Harrogate scored 31 points for the second successive week, but still ended as the losing side.

It was Lymm who got out of the blocks quickly. In the 1st minute they recovered a kick to Gate’s 10 metre line, and ran through for a try by Matthew Hand, converted by Thomas Shard. Harrogate response came in the 12th minute when their forward power produced a try for Jack Gilmartin, converted by Rory Macnab.

However, Lymm re-took the lead in the 17th minute through a Patrick Jennings try emanating from a quick tap penalty on Gate’s 10 metre line. They went further ahead 12 minutes later when Gate was down to 14 men following a yellow card for Ed Challis. With Gate failing to clear, Matthew Hand recovered the loose ball to fall over the line for his 2nd try.

Despite the numerical deficiency, Harrogate replied immediately as Martin Dodds ran in from Lymm’s 22 metre line, converted by Rory Macnab. Then, restored to full strength, further forward pressure enabled Steve Maycock to cross as time expired in the first half and give Gate a 19 – 17 lead.

Lymm restored their lead immediately after half-time through a Nathan Beesley try in the 42nd minute. They extended their advantage in the 55th minute through Robert Makin, converted by Thomas Shard, with Gate again reduced to 14 following a yellow card for Oliver Fretwell.

Lymm was then reduced to 14 when Matthew Hand was yellow-carded, and it was during this period, in the 64th minute, that Fred Chell scored Harrogate’s bonus point try in the right-hand corner.

Lymm, however, secured the win with a Thomas Manaton try in the 76th minute, converted by Thomas Shard, though Oli Tomalin ensured Gate got a losing bonus point with a try from the last move of the game, which Rory Macnab converted.

Next week, Gate entertain Sheffield in a re-arranged fixture following the recent weather postponement. Kick-off at the Apollo Capital Stadium is at 2pm.

Teams:

Harrogate: Metcalf, Chell, Tokaduadua, Brook, Abram, Macnab, Pettitt, Percival, Maycock, Challis, Gilmartin, Brady (c), Dodds, Hill, Tomalin.

Replacements: Fretwell, Head, Pritchard, Martin A, Toomey.

Lymm: Beesley (c), Williams, Pilkington, Reynolds, Jennings, Shard, Morris, Lilley, Pitcher, Hand, Thompson, Yates, Martin H, Hadland, Lilly.

Replacements: Higgins, Makin, Tahraoui, Millachip, Manaton

Referee: Gavin Jones (RFU)

Assistant Referees: Matt Daubney (RFU)
Liam Taylor (RFU)

Tim Thorley
Harrogate RUFC
26 January 2025