NORTHALLERTON’S second XV welcomed Darlington Mowden Park Elizabethans to Brompton Lodge on Saturday.

Having played each other in September with a friendly fixture that finished in a narrow 27-24 win for the Elizabethans, North were keen to show their progression since then.

The home side took to the field with their customary mix of experience and youth, a number of returning players helping to bolster the side. In a situation North could sympathise with, Mowden arrived with 13 players, and home players volunteered to play for both teams.

The hosts started well, dominating play with an early try from captain and tighthead prop David Baker after Doug Mulholland tapped a quick penalty out wide to him. Unfortunately, due to the windy conditions the conversion was pushed wide by scrum half Ben Gray. He quickly redeemed himself with a try and conversion, a trick he repeated later on in the game.

Mowden's back line was one to watch and they managed to slip through North’s defence to score three tries, one of which was carried most of the way to the try line by North’s player Martyn Wilson. Once the ball got out to the backs it was passed swiftly down the line and resulted in some long runs and two further tries from Adam Crichton and Rory McCarthy. Overall, it was a great game to watch, resulting in a final score of 29-12 to Northallerton. Man of the match was awarded to Gaz Norton.

North’s first XV travelled away to Yarnbury RUFC under the watchful eye of new head coach Marc Thiart. Starting brightly, the visitors quickly set about implementing many of the new ideas Marc has brought in.

Playing expansive and aggressive rugby, they won a penalty for their early efforts deep in Yarnbury territory, Jedd Bainbridge kicked the three points to give North an early lead. This lead held for the first quarter of the match until Yarnbury secured a break away try to get on the score sheet.

Following on from this the effects on morale of this season's results came into play as the confidence of the visiting team started to waver, enabling the home side to run in several more tries and further their lead. Both teams were clearly looking to make the most of the artificial playing surface and put the ball about the pitch, keeping the tempo of the game high.

To their credit, Northallerton did not throw in the towel but instead battled to the end, managing to get a try in the last minutes of the game from the serial finisher Matty Clarke, converted by Bainbridge. The final whistle went with the score 39-10 to Yarnbury. An entertaining game for all to watch with promising signs for North.

The ladies team enjoyed a deserved rest weekend but will be back in action on Sunday, December 4 away at Malton and Norton Marvels, kick off 2pm.

Training is at 7pm on Tuesday and Thursday for the men, 7pm Wednesday for the ladies and 10am Sunday for juniors, all at Brompton Lodge.