Match Report – Harrogate 34 Bees 35

Match Report – Harrogate 34 BeeThe Bees secured a narrow 34-35 win up at Harrogate and with it five vital points in their quest to dig themselves out of the National League 2 North relegation zone.

The victory, which was orchestrated by fly half Adam Canning who landed 15 points with the boot, was secured in the 78th minute and could have been snatched away if Harrogate’s Joe Rowntree last minute penalty had not gone wide.

The first period was a topsy-turvy affair, with 49 points scored in 40 minutes as the Bees looked to take advantage of the slope and the brisk wind blowing down Claro Road. However it was the home side who were first to open their account after 8 minutes, with a try by Cam Ledley – the first of two that the winger would score in the half.

The Bees hit straight back with a try under the posts for Rob Connolly, made by a break by his centre partner Steve Johns. Connolly was then forced to leave the pitch with bruising to the back, seemly caused after the ball had been grounded.

Quick thinking and fast hands by Rod Petty and Dai Evans saw the Bees score their second try just a minute later, as Harrogate put the restart straight into touch. With Canning again adding the conversion and then adding a further penalty, the Bees had carved themselves out a 5-17 lead.

It was then Harrogate’s turn to go on the offensive and sustained pressure eventually yielded Cam Ledley’s second try on the 23 minute mark, which Rowntree converted. Four minutes later Ledley’s wing partner James Morland got in on the act, scoring in the corner after a break by pint-sized live-wire scrum half, Phil Wickham – Rowntree slotted the difficult conversion.

The last ten minutes of the half were all Bees, as they patiently went through the gears with a drop goal and penalty by Canning, with the fly half then setting up a try for Steve Johns with a sublime break after feigning a drop goal attempt. With a regulation conversion, the Bees went in at the break 19-30 to the good.

The Bees started the second period well, keeping Harrogate in their own half and not allowing them to use the elements to their advantage. A Rowntree penalty narrowed the gap but it was the Bees who continued to press, with their scrum solid – thanks in part to the welcome addition of on-loan Moseley prop Stefan Thorpe.

However momentum was to swing back in Harrogate’s favour with a try for replacement forward Will Enslin from close range. The conversion brought the score to 29-30 and, with Steve Johns shown at yellow card for a deliberate knock on, the travelling Bees fans began to fear the worst. Those fears seemed well-founded, as more ‘Gate pressure led to a try by centre Lewis Minkin. Although Rowntree was unable to add the extras, the home side were now 34-30 ahead with just 6 minutes to go.

Pleasingly, the Bees showed character and resolve to create a match winning second try for Dai Evans in the corner. Hearts were in the mouth again as Rowntree had a chance to steal the win with last gasp penalty but the Bees secured five vital league points as a just reward for their industry on a ground where very few teams have won this season.

Teams

Harrogate – Barry Frost, Cam Ledley (2T), Lewis Minkin (T), Kyle Dench, James Morland (T), Joe Rowntree (3C, P), Phil Wickham, Jonny Coser, Noel Minkin, Joe Watson, Steve Dewsnip, Jake Brady, Ben Reaveley, Aarin Yorke, Fraser Kirkley. Replacements – Tom Harvey, Andrew Boyde, Will Enslin (T), Sam Bottomley and Mike Aspinall.

Birmingham & Solihull – Ian Briggs, Aquile Smith, Steve Johns (T), Rob Connolly (T), Dai Evans (2T), Adam Canning (DG, 3C, 2P), Rod Petty, Henno Venter, Ashley Scriven, Rob Gregg, Chris Goddard ©,Mitch Lee , Liam Dunne, Will Crane and Stefan Thorpe. Replacements – Andy Kettle, Josh Crawford, Soloman Dacres, Charlie Ding and Alex O’Malley.

Referee – Luis Caviglia