Eight wins out of eight for Northallerton first team

NORTHALLERTON first team made it eight wins out of eight to retain their top spot at the head of Yorkshire 3 with a well deserved 29-6 Home win over second placed Castleford.

The whole game was played in driving rain and strong winds, which made it difficult to put together any free flowing, expansive rugby.

Cas controlled much of the first half, going down hill and with the wind behind them, but failed to put their pressure into telling points. Their only rewards were two successful penalties as the North defence stayed strong and resolute. Norths hooker Jeremy Deas led by example, playing almost as an extra flanker, putting in tackle after tackle to help out Norths backline.

On their occasional foray into the visitors half, North nearly crossed the try line twice only for James Hopkins and Matthew Marsay to be tackled just short of the whitewash.

Half time 0-6

After an agreed short half time break because of the implement weather, North took complete control of the second half using the strong wind to pin Castleford in their own third of the pitch. Iain Swall then proceeded to be the dominant and telling force in the loose and also in all the lineouts, stealing the visitors throws as well as easily collecting Norths lineouts.

After ten minutes of the second half North got their just rewards with Hopkins rolling over the line for Norths first try, converted by Jedd Bainbridge.

Five minutes later Bainbridge added a penalty to increase Norths lead.

With Northallerton now totally dominating their rivals, the score line was increased when a scrum from ten yards out was pushed over and scrum half Jamie Douglas touched down. With the wind growing stronger, Bainbridge then successfully drop kicked the conversation as the ball would not stay on the kicking tee.

After 65 minutes North scored the try of the game when Jonny Frank went on a lung bursting run from his own half to within ten feet of the opposition line before selfishly off loading to Marsay to touch down in the corner for the try. The conversation from Bainbridge for once drifted just wide.

With five minutes to go, North scored their bonus point fourth try from man of the match Iain Swall, Bainbridge again with the conversation. Final score 29-6.

Next week North travel to play Leeds Modernians with a 3pm kick off.

NORTHALLERTON second team also made it 8 wins out of 8 and also sit top of their Merit league after a 48-0 victory away at Acklam.

North were convincing winners despite being down to 14 men for a quarter of the game when John Logan was firstly, yellow carded two minutes after coming on as a replacement, and then later having to leave the pitch with an injury to his hand and no replacement being available.

Norths tries came from Gareth Essex(2), Paul James, Trevor Mould, Morgan Cockings, Simon Lawrie, Iain Dunn and Harry O’Connor. Mould added four successful conversions.

Next week Northallerton seconds are at home to Billingham, 3pm kick off.