HARROGATE 31
TYNEDALE 33
FOR the second week running, Tynedale came out on top in a close fought game at Harrogate that had more twists than a Cadbury’s Curly Wurly.
Having been behind for much of the game, Tynedale nudged ahead with just five minutes left, and seemed set to steal the win.
But they gave away an eminently kickable penalty in the final move of the match, and seemed set to return from Yorkshire with nothing more than a couple of bonus points.
But Harrogate full-back Rory McNab, who had landed five out of five pots at goal over the 80 minutes unaccountably put the one that mattered wide, and it was Tynedale who took maximum points, to consolidate sixth place in National League Division Two North
Tynedale welcomed back a couple of familiar faces from Cumbria after lengthy absences, and both wing Joe Beaty and centre Will Miller celebrated their return with tries.
It was also quite a day for scrum-half James Telford, who had to take on place kicking duties when fly-half Josh Leslie was forced off with a head injury after just 20 minutes. Telford went on to land what proved to be the winning conversion at the death.
While they ended the day bottom of the table, Harrogate again demonstrated they are no mugs, having held Tynedale to a 33-33 draw in the reverse fixture at Corbridge back in November.
Tynedale got off to a great start, taking the lead on five minutes when prop Ben Haigh ploughed over wide out, with Leslie adding the extras from the tee in style before his enforced departure.
Harrogate quickly responded with flanker William Hill scoring a fine try three minutes later, McNab’s conversion bringing the scores level
Hill crossed again in the 18th minute, Macnab's conversion giving Harrogate a 14-7 lead.
Another try from free-scoring hooker Harrison Wood ensured Harrogate’s advantage was brief,
Telford converting to level it all up again at 14-14.
The pendulum swung Harrogate’s way on 32 minutes when lock Sam Brady powered over, McNab’s conversion giving the home side a 21-14 interval lead, which widened to 24-14 five minutes into the second half with a McNab penalty
The game seemed to be slipping away from Tynedale, until Harrogate number eight Martin Dodds was sent to the bin for a deliberate knock on, on 54 minutes
Tynedale made their extra man count as Beaty crossed for his try on 56 minutes, Telford converting, and Miller grabbed his try on the hour to put Tynedale in front by two points.
Then it was Harrogate’s turn to shine again as centre Kristan Dobson made a fine break to go in under the posts in the 67th minute, and McNab's conversion put the hosts back in front at 31-26.
But ill-discipline proved costly again two minutes later, as replacement hooker Charlie Head saw yellow in the 69th minute, Tynedale taking advantage four minutes later when skipper Chris Wearmouth forced his way over to bring the scores level at 31-31.
Telford converted coolly to put Tynedale back in front, as thanks to McNab’s last gasp miss, that was the way it stayed.
Tynedale return to Corbridge on Saturday when Hull Ionians are the visitors. The game kicks off at 2pm.
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