NORTHALLERTON first team suffered yet another disappointing defeat on Saturday, this time at home to Wath upon Dearne by a score of 14-39.
North started off well, with a powerful surging run by Dom Dalby after only two minutes, but he was held up short of the try line. Wath then broke upfield and barged over the try line thanks partially to a huge hand off to North's winger. The conversion gave the visitors an early seven point lead.
After 15 minutes, Wath missed a penalty in front of the posts as the wind gained in ferocity, and five minutes later, Jack Tarte broke off the back of a North scrum, and threw an outrageous dummy before sneaking through the gap to score. The conversion from Alexander Metcalfe brought the scores level.
From the restart, the visitors exerted more pressure on North's defence, before a cheeky inside pass from the Wath scrum half put in their number eight for a try and a difficult, but successful conversion.
North again came back at Wath, and after a Matthew Marsay pirouette, Tom Peacock went over for a try two minutes before half time. The conversion from Metcalfe sent the teams in level at the break at 14-14.
North turned round after the break with the wind behind them and a simple game plan of keeping the opposition pinned back in their own 22 as much as possible.
Five minutes into the second half, North looked likely to take the lead for the first time as they pressed Wath back. With the try line looming, North's fly half sent out a looping pass towards the wing which was intercepted by the Wath centre who broke downfield. With a try looking like it was inevitable, a last ditch tackle by Ben Pilling halted the attack.
From there on though it was all downhill for North as Wath dominated proceedings for the next 35 minutes.
North failed to get any telling possession and therefore were unable to use the wind advantage for any territorial kicking.
Wath steamrollered the home side, with five unconverted tries as North looked tired, ragged and dishevelled.
The final score of 14-39 was well deserved by Wath, and North will hopefully bounce back with next week's game away at Leeds Corinthians.
North's man of the match was Matthew Marsay, though Joe Grief, Dom Dolby and Ben Pilling also showed good defensive work.
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