John Liley pleased by Harrogate Pythons RUFC's progress as 2025/26 ends with a bonus-point victory
John Liley says he is pleased with the progress Harrogate Pythons RUFC have made after the club completed their most successful season as a Yorkshire One side.
The men from the Jim Saynor Ground signed off for 2025/26 with a bonus-point victory over relegated Leodiensian, with that result ensuring that they finished the campaign with more points and victories than they have managed previously at this level.
And having improved on last term’s showing, Liley believes that the Pythons are building nicely for the future.
“We have finished this season with more victories and points than last year, so we have made good progress in 2025/26,” he said.
"We have had two promising years in Yorkshire One on which to build, so we are in a good place going into next season.
“Saturday’s victory was very much deserved. Leodiensian put up a good fight throughout so we had to be on our game to make sure we finished on top at the end.
“But, we have competed well and been very close to winning quite a few matches on our travels, so to record another victory is so pleasing.”
The Pythons started Saturday’s contest the stronger of the sides and took the lead when Natsuki Barclay touched down following Connor Spence’s grubber kick.
The lead was doubled to 10-0 soon afterwards when Ben Pryor pounced on loose ball following a ‘Gate line-out and touched down.
But, Leodiensian responded well, and within no time at all, had crossed for two converted tries, which saw them take a 14-10 lead.
Undeterred, the Pythons came again and after Harry Smith and Rhys Cory drove them forwards, Pryor spotted a gap and scored under the posts for 17-14 after half an hour.
The hosts again reacted quickly to go over for their third converted try, though it was to be the Harrogate side who had the final say of the half.
After Hugh Tatlow picked up from the base of a scrum and fed Smith, he lined well with centre partner Cory, who crashed over in the corner to edge his team back ahead.
That one-point advantage was stretched further following a bright start to the second period as Harry Brayshaw ended a four-phase attack by crossing the whitewash.
Sam Rowntree and Bailey Bromberg then touched down in quick success to put the Pythons in full control at 39-21.
A brief rally by the hosts saw them grab two more tries to narrow the gap to six points, however Smith wrapped things up for Liley’s men late on when he scored then converted the final try of the afternoon.
Saturday’s result means that the Pythons finish the season ninth in the Yorkshire One standings, with nine victories and 52 points to their name.