Harrogate Pythons RUFC 'too slow' to get started during defeat to Goole RUFC
Tom Baxter said that his Harrogate Pythons RUFC players were “too slow” coming to the party following Saturday’s Yorkshire One defeat at Goole.
For the second week in succession, a poor start proved costly for the men from the Jim Saynor Ground, and they ultimately ended up on the wrong end of a 38-26 score-line.
Trailing by 17 points after half an hour, the visitors did fight their way back into the contest before Goole took full control early in the second period and surged into a commanding lead.
A decent finish to the afternoon did at least see the Pythons salvage a four-try bonus point, but their director of rugby was still left disappointed at the final whistle.
“We were too slow to get into the game and exert pressure,” Baxter lamented.
“This, coupled with ill-discipline and unforced errors allowed Goole to dominate the scoreboard.
“We showed good fight and determination to claw our way back into a position to take a bonus point for scoring four tries and a chance at competing for the result, but left this too late.
"So, we now have to dust ourselves off and go again. It’s important that we stay tight as a group and find a way to turn these results around into our favour.”
The early exchanges were evenly matched but punctuated by the awarding of the first of eight yellow cards issued by the referee, five of which were shown to Pythons players.
Goole opened the scoring from a line-out to take a 7-0 lead on 15 minutes and added another try and a penalty before the half-hour mark.
The visitors eventually got themselves up and running after the East Yorkshiremen were reduced to 13 men following two more yellow cards, Harry Smith taking the ball into contact and driving over from five metres out.
Ben Pryor added the extras to make it 17-7, but there was still time for the Pythons to add another touchdown before the half-time whistle.
Will Milnes got them moving forwards, and after a driving maul was set up, Joel Misseldine spotted a gap and raced away to finish for 17-12 at the break.
Goole would however then go on to cross the white wash three times in quick succession early in the second period to seize a 38-12 advantage.
The Pythons eventually fought their way back into the match, and went over for their third try after Harry Brayshaw intercepted a pass and used his pace to round the covering defenders and dash under the posts from almost 80 metres out.
Freddie Abrahams was then taken out by a high tackle as he raced down the wing towards the try-line, and a penalty try was awarded, which narrowed the gap further still at 38-26.
That was however as good as it was to get for the Pythons, who return to action when they entertain Old Rishworthian this Saturday.