1st Team
Matches
Sat 05 Oct 2019
Wensleydale
36
13
Northallerton Rugby Club
1st Team
DOUBLE DALES DEFEAT

DOUBLE DALES DEFEAT

H JOHNSON6 Oct 2019 - 21:26
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bad day at the cheese factory

With 5 injuries, 3 working, and 2 awol, Northallerton sent a very depleted first team to neighbours Wensleydale, but an above average 2nd team to the Dale. Dale themselves were also missing a few key players including scrum half Paul Smith who decided to get his hair weaves put in that day. However both North teams suffered a disappointing day with the first team losing by a score of 36-13 and the seconds by 38-29.
North took a 3-0 lead after only two minutes when reliable old workhorse Simon Manthorpe earned North a penalty forty yards out which Ashley Rio dutifully converted, but that was about as good as it got for the visitors on the day.
Dale came straight back at North and scored a converted try after five minutes due to a combination of sloppy/comedic tackling from North and good footwork from the home team Fijian winger.
North came back and pressed the home team back into their own 22 and maybe should have scored from a scrum five yards out. Dale to their credit, defended admirably and cleared their lines successfully upfield. Norths lineouts then began to falter, from which Dale profited and mounted more probing attacks. The home team then scored two quick tries to take a commanding 19-3 lead. The Mark Thiert lookalike fly half missing one conversion - his only miss of the day! (Only the well over 40’s will remember Thiert who played for both teams)
After twenty five minutes Matthew Marsay caught a wayward looping high pass to blitz through the home team defence and over the try line. However, before Marsay could touch the ball down he was cynically tackled around the neck causing him to spill the ball. Unfortunately, and to the astonishment of everyone watching, the official missed the foul and probable red card, and awarded a knock on against Marsay.
Just before half time the Dale winger went on another mazy run through Norths scrambling defence to touch down in the corner. The svelte looking Dale fly half again converting from a difficult angle to take the teams in at half time 26-3. At half time the Dale number 8 had a phone call and was called away to start an argument at the local nunnery, but Dale luckily had a capable replacement.
Ten minutes into the second half, Dale took a straightforward penalty to further increase their lead.
Fifteen minutes into the second half North began to mount a comeback as Marsay scored two quick tries. Firstly by chasing up a grubber kick through by Rio and touching down. The second coming from a good combination between brothers Phil and Iain Swall again released Marsay to cross the whitewash. Both conversions drifted disappointingly wide.
After seventy minutes Norths brief comeback was halted by another Dales try and another conversion from their sylphlike and precise fly half. That sealed a deserved and good win for the home team which will hopefully kick start their season after a faltering start.
Although I didn’t stay long after the game, I presume Norths man of the match and DOD was awarded to Matthew Marsay as he likes to drink 2 pints at once.
Next week North entertain Wheatley Hills at home with a 3pm kick off. Beforehand there is a sponsors and guest buffet, any club members wishing to attend please inform Mr Bob Baker.

Northallerton seconds fielded a very good second team, oh and Doug Mulholland, but came up against an even better Dale second team in a thrilling point fest encounter. The home team looked to be comfortable victors at one point before North dug deep and came back with three tries in the last twenty minutes. Norths tries came from Toby Sadler(2), Kris Morrison and Simon Warren. Brian Tucker added three conversions and one penalty. Morrison just edged out Tucker for the man of the match award.
Next week North seconds are again waiting for fixture confirmation.

These thoughts are those of myself only and not necessarily of Northallerton RUFC.

Thank you
H Johnson.

Match details

Match date

Sat 05 Oct 2019

Kickoff

15:00

Attendance

3
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Club Sponsor - Marshall Honda
Club Sponsor - Tank Promotions
Club Sponsor - Simon Warren Osteopath
Club Sponsor - P+HS Architects
Club Sponsor - Northallerton Steel Erection Ltd