Pythons lose out to Medics

After a month without a game, Harrogate Pythons returned to action at Leeds Medics & Dentists, eventually losing out in a high-scoring contest.
Harrogate Pythons full-back Matt Halpin on the run during his sides Yorkshire Three clash with Leeds Medics & DentistsHarrogate Pythons full-back Matt Halpin on the run during his sides Yorkshire Three clash with Leeds Medics & Dentists
Harrogate Pythons full-back Matt Halpin on the run during his sides Yorkshire Three clash with Leeds Medics & Dentists

Dan Bird’s men found themselves 17-3 behind at one stage in the first half, and although they rallied after the interval, they couldn’t quite make up the deficit, losing out 29-20 in the end.

Despite not having set foot on a pitch in four weeks due to the recent bad weather, ‘Gate began the match brightly and caused their hosts some problems during the opening 20 minutes.

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An attacking Medics scrum then saw the Pythons penalised, and while the referee was explaining his decision, the hosts took a quick tap-penalty and went over to open the scoring at 7-0 in the 22nd minute.

The men from Station View came straight back and a Ross Fallenstein penalty narrowed the gap four minutes later, however, from a turnover following a line-out deep in home territory, the Medics went almost the length of the pitch to touch down for a second time.

With the home team’s tails up, they put ‘Gate under real pressure, going over for 17-3 in the 38th minute following another quick tap.

The Medics were then penalised at the re-start, allowing Fallenstein to boot over a penalty just before the half-time whistle.

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The Pythons made a strong start to the second period, and with the home fly-half in the sin-bin for dissent, a Fallenstein cross-kick was well taken by Matt Halpin and recycled to the opposite wing for Hugh Tatlow to crash over.

Fallenstein added the extras from the touchline to make it 17-13 after 53 minutes.

The ‘Gate momentum was then checked as they lost an attacking scrum against the head and a Medics centre broke through several weak tackles to extend his side’s lead at 24-13.

Undeterred, the visitors came again, John Reah making a good break before being stopped in front of the posts where the hosts fell foul of the referee.

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From the resulting scrum, Joe Bentham drove over and Fallenstein again coverted.

At 24-20 with 10 minutes remaining, the Pythons could smell victory, but unfortunately for them, the next score went to the Medics following a kick-and-chase, ending any hopes of a comeback.

The result sees the Leeds outfit leapfrog Bird’s men in the Yorkshire Three standings, leaving ‘Gate 12th ahead of this weekend’s trip to Castleford.