Harrogate's new boys kick off with tough test
A NEW season brings fresh hope and optimism for Harrogate RUFC according to team manager Graham Siswick.
Despite a host of front line players leaving the club in the summer including last season's leading try scorer Steve Parsons, Siswick feels 'Gate's new blood have what it takes to challenge the big boys at the top of the table.
There are a couple of tasty encounters coming up in the next few weeks.
Tomorrow relegated Nuneaton make the trip to Claro Road (3pm ko) looking to bounce straight back into National One before Harrogate journey to much fancied Hull next weekend.
All eyes will then turn to October 2 when England World Cup-winning star Jason Robinson brings his big spending Fylde side to Claro Road - a fixture Siswick is already looking forward to.
However he knows they have to get off to a good start tomorrow and carry on the progress they made last season.
"I think the first six weeks are going to be exceptionally tough," said Siswick.
"Nuneaton have just been relegated from the league above. The year before they won this league comfortably so they're going to be a good side.
"Also we know they've lost one or two players but they're still going to be a force to be reckoned with.
"They play an attractive brand of rugby and they have an excellent goal kicker in Hugh Thomas. But we're prepared.
"We've made changes too but we are all looking forward to the start of the season. Hopefully we can get off to a good start and build on our fourth place finish from last season."
In the backs Steve Parsons, Sam Bottomley and Danny McGee have all left Claro Road. Forwards Harry Hannon, Aaron Yorke, Simon Davies, Ed Spackman and Max Lewis have also moved on to pastures new.
In comes new prop forward Mark Tampin. In the backs James Rothwell from Sheffield Tigers, Peter Lucock from Moortown and forwards Andrew Fraser (Driffield) and Ben Weaving (Otley). Andrew Enston will also return after recovering from a long term back injury.
There are also a few injury concerns ahead of tomorrow's kick-off with number eight Ryan Peacey struggling for fitness.
"We've lost a few players but we think we've got a good core of new players together," continued Siswick.
"Hopefully they will gel together in the coming weeks."
Meanwhile there's been good news off the pitch after it was announced the club will be able to play at Claro Road for the whole of the 2010-11 campaign.
'Gate have played two pre-season friendlies ahead of the start of the season the last of these at home to National One outfit Tynedale on Saturday.
Tynedale were 31-0 ahead at half-time but a spirited Harrogate performance in the second period gave them real hope for the coming season.
Tynedale opened the scoring after turning over Harrogate possession straight from the kick off.
The scorer was former Harrogate second row Richard Boyle, who was making his debut for Tynedale.
Almost immediately, Peacey, Harrogate's influential No 8, had to leave the field with a groin injury and this was certainly a serious blow.
Quick Tynedale distribution created space for Peter Cole, their lightning winger, who split the defence with a fine individual try converted by Gavin Beasley.
Further Tynedale tries followed from Matt Outson, Grant Beasley (Gavin's brother) and their impressive full back, Seth Visser.
The second half was a more evenly contested affair with impressive contributions from Ed Smithies, Harrogate's long serving captain and full back.
Other experienced players such as Jamie Broadley, Mike Aspinall and Tim Heaton also impressed and were well supported by promising newcomers Peter Lucock, James Rothwell, Rob Almond and Harry Key, son of Leeds Carnegie's Director of Rugby Andy.
Harrogate opened their second half account when Almond finished a fine backs move initiated by Aspinall and Smithies.
Smithies then set up another incisive counter attack, Lucock continued the break and the tireless Heaton supported well to score.
The impressive Grant Beasley scored two more Tynedale tries to complete his hat trick and winger, Ingle ran cleverly for the visitors' last try to win 50-17.
Harrogate continued to attack from all situations and Ben Hardy supported a flowing backs' move for the final score of an entertaining game.
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Weather for Harrogate
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
