Harrogate vs PGRFC

Date: 16 November 2014

Hoppers fell to their third consecutive defeat coming back across the Pennine’s empty handed after a 27-9 defeat to Harrogate.

The Yorkshire club ran in four tries to secure the bonus point and kept Hoppers from crossing the line, restricting them to just a handful of penalty opportunities. This is the second consecutive week that Hoppers have been unable to score a try and their lack a genuine cutting edge is somewhat of a concern.

With that in mind Head Coach Garth Dew is looking to remain positive, saying; “first of all you can’t fault the effort of the lads and this really was a game when nothing went or way, the ref gave us nothing and the odds were against us from the start in this one.”

“We are down four props, three backs (including one who dropped out last minute) and then we lose Jack Ward to injury and Reece Tomlinson to a red card in the opening minutes. But we were beaten four tries to none and we missed some kicks and didn’t convert our chances.”

“The main thing that impresses me though is the spirit in this side; they are going out and playing for each other. While the injuries bring problems is nice to see lads like Harry Moulding get a chance and I thought Oga Mabaya was outstanding again, he’s stepped up to the first XV and made a big impression.”

Hoppers started this game well and looked to be in control of the opening exchanges, Harrogate had picked a big side to take on a young and inexperienced Hoppers pack but the visitors looked solid at the set piece and made a few decent surges into the middle of the hosts defence.

The game then turned on the Tomlinson red card, after just 15 minutes as he was accused of a head butt. Harrogate used their man advantage to score from the resulting line-out with Willem Enslin touching down. If Hoppers felt aggrieved by the sending off it was increased by Harrogate’s second try which didn’t look to be grounded and was awarded by the referee from distance rather than his assistant who was closer to the action, Sam Bottomley who scored looked just as surprised as the rest of the players.

Hoppers did get back into the game with a couple of Lewis Allen penalties but it was an off day from the tee for the fly half who missed a couple of kicks at the start of the second half that would have brought Hoppers level and put the hosts under pressure.

However, it wasn’t to be and another confusing decision allowed Harrogate to set up a driving maul and an equally strange penalty try gave them the full five points.

Hoppers can and should feel aggrieved about the some off the decisions that led to this result, they certainly did not get any favours from the officials, but they need to regain that cutting edge which they certainly showed earlier in the season.

Dew added; “we have Luctonians next week and it’s going to be a bit like a cup final as we enter a run of games that we can pick up points from and move into the top half.”

The photograph at the top of the report shows the Murray brothers, Ally and Mark, who appeared in the 1st XV together for the first time,

Back to Rugby Reports Back to Fixtures