Northallerton RUFC fielded three teams at the weekend for the first time this season, utilising a wide range and depth of experience, from the novice to the veteran campaigner.

The first XV travelled away to Wheatley Hills RUFC, near Doncaster, looking for their first points of the season. Always a tightly contested game, this year's edition proved no different. A sluggish start from North left them 12-0 down and with a big hill to climb. Fly half Ollie Walters reduced the deficit with a smart show and got over the try line after several minutes of well-constructed phase play from the forwards. Hills restored their lead with another well taken try, showing their clinical side after only three visits to the North 22. A yellow card to a North back row for a professional foul left a significant challenge to overcome at half time, down 17-7 at half time with eight minutes left on the sin bin.

On the resumption of the game, another rousing half time speech brought North back to life. Smart, tight play from the forwards found a soft part of the Hills' defence and yielded a penalty in front of the posts converted by Jedd Bainbridge. Both teams traded tries, Hills scoring next before Matt Argo burrowed over for North following a break from Jack Tart.

The home side looked to be tiring towards the end of the game which North duly capitalised on. By controlling the game and showing what they are capable of, the final say went to the visiting side with a try to centre Fraser Pickthall bringing the score to 27-24 – North’s first points of the season and a strong step in the right direction. Man of the match was Ollie Walters.

The second XV hosted local rivals Wensleydale RUFC at Brompton Lodge. Fielding a mixed team of experience the challenge was always going to be tough for North. Congratulations on debuts for Kieran Leivers, Lewis Boland and Jack Gray. In a game where Dale’s well drilled, experienced team forged an early lead and held it for the duration, North’s players stuck to their task and put together some strong passages of play. Boland made the most of his first opportunity to score a well worked try converted by Jack Gray. Despite sustained energy and commitment levels throughout the afternoon, Dale proved too strong this week for North and ran out winners at 7-68. Boland capped off his afternoon with a man of the match award.

Making a regular habit of playing infrequently, North’s invitational third XV hosted Ambleside RUFC in a return fixture of their meeting in Cumbria last season. Ambleside arrived in style early, bringing a full coach of players and supporters. Despite a more vigorous warm up than Northallerton chose to undertake, it was the home side that had the upper hand for much of the match. The emphasis for the day was certainly on enjoyment and appreciating social aspects of rugby. Free flowing and entertaining play was offered by both sides throughout, resulting in a significant score line of 44-26 to North. Unusual as it is to get one hat-trick in a game, North managed to register two by players at opposing ends of their careers, Matty Marsay and John Logan dominating the score sheet.

The after match “Yorkshire Fest” proved to be a resounding success and an appropriate end to a big day for the club.

Training for Northallerton's men’s team is at 7pm Tuesday and Thursday, ladies at 7pm Wednesday and juniors on Sunday at 10am. All abilities and experience welcome.