Harrogate Pythons RUFC endure 'hugely frustrating afternoon' as they lose at Wensleydale RUFC

The men from the Jim Saynor Ground had a one-man advantage for most of the second half after their hosts saw a player sent off, but were unable to capitalise.

Having come in at the interval with the scores locked at 3-3 despite them having controlled long periods, the visitors actually scored less points than ‘Dale once they were reduced to 14, then 13 players.

And, although they did manage a losing bonus point with a late try, coach Will Clough was far from satisfied following Saturday’s 20-15 defeat.

“This was a hugely frustrating afternoon,” he said. “We played some good rugby and controlled the territory and possession in the first half, so to come in at 3-3 was disappointing.

“We then failed to capitalise on the numerical advantage that we had for a large part of the second period. Our work at the ruck and ball retention just wasn’t where it needed to be.

“Once Wensleydale got ahead in the second half, the game turned into a real arm wrestle, which played to their strengths, and it was always going to be tough to come back from there.

“That said, we showed great character to score in the final play of the game and leave with a vital bonus point.”

Trailing 3-0 early on, the Pythons opened their account with a quarter of an hour of the game gone when Ben Pryor levelled matters with a penalty goal.

But, despite them playing some good rugby during periods of the first half, the visitors were unable to add to their tally before the interval.

After the break, Wensleydale retook the lead through another penalty, but soon afterwards they were reduced to 14 men following what was deemed to be a dangerous clear-out at the breakdown.

‘Gate initially appeared set to take full advantage of their extra man, and following a spell of pressure on the home line they were awarded a penalty try, which saw them go 10-6 up.

Their hosts lost another player, this time to the sin-bin, but despite it being 15 versus 13, it was ‘Dale who grabbed the next score when an attempted clearance kick was charged down behind the Pythons’ line.

A break in midfield then led to another converted try for Wensleydale, and this left them in a great position at 20-10.

With just a few minutes left in the game, the away side turned the ball over on halfway and earned themselves a penalty.

Hugh Tatlow and Pete Millward then carried well to get their team to within 10 metres of the whitewash, where they eventually won a scrum.

A series of attacking phases followed that set-piece, and Will Milnes eventually fed Marcus Fotherby, who spotted Harry Smith open on the blind side to finish off a move which ensured that the Pythons at least returned home with a point to their name.

Defeat leaves the Starbeck outfit sixth in the Yorkshire One standings ahead of this Saturday’s home clash with West Leeds.