Spirited second-half display not enough to save Harrogate Pythons RUFC from defeat to Wath Upon Dearne RUFC

Trailing 33-7 to the Yorkshire One leaders at the interval, it appeared as if the men from the Jim Saynor Ground were destined to end up on the wrong end of an extremely heavy score-line.

But the hosts rallied and had much the better of things after the break, running in three tries to earn themselves a bonus point from a game that eventually finished 47-24.

And Pythons coach John Liley said that he was “proud” of his players’ efforts against such strong opposition.

"Whilst the result didn't go our way, our character, determination and never-say-die approach meant that we finished the game on a high and were able to take the four-try bonus point,” he said.

"We acquitted ourselves well against a team riding high at the top of our table and actually won the second half, which should give the lads confidence going into the remaining games of this season.

“Wath took a stranglehold on the game from the start and built a healthy lead, but we stuck to our game-plan to make sure that we came away with something at the end.

“I was immensely proud of how we managed the game from the position we found ourselves. So, credit must go to the lads for sticking in there because it would have been very easy to have thrown the towel in.”

Wath showed exactly why they are currently top of the table by making a fast start to proceedings and scoring two tries inside the opening 10 minutes.

The Pythons managed to respond with a penalty try after Hugh Tatlow secured line-out ball and the driving maul that followed was pulled down by visiting players as it rumbled towards the try-line.

But, the remainder of the first half belonged to Wath, who added another three tries to make the score 33-7 at the break.

Another touchdown followed shortly after the resumption before the tide began to turn.

The Pythons went over for their second try of the afternoon when Harry Smith fed Talow on the away 22. He handed-off the first defender who tried to stop him, then powered over next to the posts.

Ben Pryor added the extras to make it 40-14, though it was not long before Wath scored again to re-establish their 33-point cushion.

‘Gate would however keep asking questions of their visitors, and they crossed again after Tatlow set up Sam Beagrie to apply the finishing touch.

And the Pythons went on to have the final say with just a couple of minutes remaining.

Pryor broke through in centre field and found the supporting Natsuki Barclay on halfway. He then arced around his opposite man and used his raw pace to race down the touchline and dive over in the corner to secure that bonus point.

This Saturday, the Pythons travel to third-placed Yarnbury.