Knottingley start with a win

A great start to the season for the boys who came out 20-7 winners against Harrogate Pythons with a gritty display in defence to keep the visitors out until the last 10 minutes for a late consolation try. It was bound to be a close contest with both teams hoping to be at the top end of the table come the end of the year after last years finishes. Some teething problems as with any opening games but the lads steely defence was clear to see it hadn't changed from last season and Harrogate struggled to come up with any answers to it. The first try of the season went to, yes you guessed it Mark Tiffin who picked up where he left off last season going under the sticks after strong running from skipper Dale Ferguson split Harrogate's defence open, Beach converted 7-0. The second score of the game came from wide out when Joe Winstanley broke down the wing then offloading to the returning Ryan Barnaby who went over in the corner, Beach converted from touch to make it 14-0. The scores stayed the same till the half but Knottingley could feel a little hard done by as a few tries went begging, but the signs were all positive. In the second half it was much of the same with Harrogate struggling to find anyway through the blue and white wall and after some Knottingley pressure they were rewarded with a penalty which Nicky Beach converted to make it 17-0. The Knottingley pack were strong throughout and began to grind down the big Harrogate pack with the penalties starting to come thick and fast which resulted in Benny Tucker nudging over another 3 points to make it 20-0. The lads then defended brilliantly to hold off the Harrogate onslaught for the next period as they frustrated them with everyone defending valiantly. The task was then made harder after Welsh International Jamie Liversidge was sent to the bin for a dubious high tackle, he blamed the ref saying he didn't like his highlights. Harrogate eventually powered their way over near the end after constant pressure on the Knottingley line, try converted 20-7 and that's how the scores stayed until the end with Knottingley coming out deserved winners and taking the points. A great start to hopefully a good season with all the boys putting in a great performance respectively. Some great defensive efforts from Ryan Eades, Oss Wright, Carl Dickinson and Sean James to name a few, all added to a good performance.