Harrogate RUFC to 'write off' Middlesbrough RUFC loss due to circumstances beyond their control
Jake Brady says that Harrogate RUFC will need to “write off” Saturday’s defeat at struggling Middlesbrough after circumstances beyond their control played a big part in the outcome of the game.
The Aces travelled to Teesside aiming to deliver the kind of springboard performance that would provide them with a boost heading into their North One East play-off clash with Alnwick on April 25.
But, having lost two front-row players to injury inside the opening quarter of an hour and finding themselves unable to replace the second of them, the sides were forced to switch to uncontested scrums.
And with ‘Gate not able to bring on another recognised prop, they had to play more than an hour with just 14 men.
Despite them digging deep and producing some spirited rugby, their numerical disadvantage ultimately took its toll]l, and the men from Rudding Lane ended up on the wrong end of a 31-26 scoreline.
“Obviously I am never happy losing a game, but circumstances were against us on the day and what happened was really beyond our control,” director of rugby Brady told the Harrogate Advertiser.
"We were unlucky with two front-row injuries in first 15 minutes, and although we replaced the first one, we didn’t have another on the bench due to the amount of replacements you’re allowed to name in this league.
“We had to go to uncontested scrums, which was a real blow as scrummaging is one of the strongest parts of our game, plus we were down to 14 men.
“Despite all that, we could still have won the game, and got to within a couple of metres of the line with the last play.
"But we can pretty much write this one off. We know why we lost the game, and it isn’t going to weigh on anyone’s mind because of the position we found ourselves in. And we can at least take plenty of heart from the desire that the boys showed in spades.”
Having secured a third-placed finish, Harrogate face a difficult-looking trip to runners-up Alnwick as they bid to secure promotion back to National Two North at the first attempt.
That fixture is the first of three that the Aces will need to win if they are to reclaim their place in English rugby’s fourth tier.
A convoluted play-off scenario means that the victors of that game will then meet whoever triumphs in the corresponding match-up in North One West.
Should ‘Gate make it that far, they would then have to overcome the team that finishes third-bottom in National Two North in order to take their place return to National Two.