Harrogate RUFC rewarded for taking a more 'patient' approach during victory at Driffield RUFC
Jake Brady has encouraged his Harrogate RUFC players to adopt more of a patient approach as they look to maintain their bid for immediate promotion back to National Two.
Having suffered back-to-back defeats either side of Christmas which severely dented their North One East title hopes, the Aces have responded well in recent weeks and beat Driffield 39-29 on Saturday afternoon.
That bonus-point success came just seven days after their 82-0 thrashing of Cleckheaton, and keeps them third in the table and in a play-off spot.
And Brady has been pleased to see his troops improving in the areas that he has asked them focus on in the wake of last month's loss at promotion rivals Alnwick.
"We played pretty well overall on Saturday," he told the Harrogate Advertiser. "There was a period at the start of the second half where we scored a load of points and that pretty much decided the game.
"I was happy with the performance, but there is still plenty for us to work on and improve. Our two recent defeats to Blaydon and Alnwick demonstrated exactly the areas where we need to get better.
"We have needed to be more accurate in our work, and more patient. We are a good side when we are playing somewhere near our best and we have a lot of players who know that they can make things happen.
"But, too often, we are trying to score tries after one or two phases. We have almost had the mindset of always wanting to score points immediately. So, we have worked on just trying to keep hold of the ball, keeping our opponent under pressure, and then executing once we are in the right areas.
"And we did see more of that on Saturday against a good team in Driffield. I feel that we are getting there but, as I say, we still have a lot of work to do."
Harrogate fell behind with just four minutes on the clock, but responded soon afterwards with a try of their own, scored by full-back Tom Steene.
The visitors then edged in front when hooker Charlie Head went over and Kristan Dobson added the extras for 12-5.
A converted try saw Driffield level matters on 17 minutes, and they then kicked a penalty goal to make it 15-12 at the interval.
'Gate came out firing on all cylinders after the interval and centre Dobson crossed within four minutes of the resumption to put them back in front.
The same player then touched down four minutes later to make it 22-15, with flanker Ben Richardson adding to the away total almost immediately.
Another converted try by the Woldsmen got them back in the contest at 27-22, only for Head to register his second score in the 68th minute.
Head then completed his hat-trick with five minutes of normal time remaining and fly-half Jack Mallinson booted over the extra two points.
There was still time for Driffield to go on and earn themselves a bonus point with their fourth try of the match late on, though the Aces had already done more than enough.
'Gate are without a fixture this Saturday, but return to action on February 14 when they entertain unbeaten league leaders Heath at Rudding Lane.