York | Archive | 2004 | December | 20
From the Evening Press, first published Monday 20th Dec 2004.
HARROGATE deserved to come away from Manhester with something to show for their never-say-die attitude. But at least in their 18-9 National Two defeat, their second-half frailties, in evidence so often this season, seem to have been overcome.
They were 13-6 down at the break but unlike in other games this season, notably against Stourbridge, Doncaster, Rosslyn Park and Moseley, their was no cave-in.
Determination and sterling defence gave chairman of rugby Mike Cowling fresh hope for the second half of the season.
Cowling had praise for the struggling team's efforts against a high-scoring side who are unbeaten at home. He said: ``Our defence, particularly from the midfield backs, was much improved and I thought we deserved a point at least.''
Harrogate head coach Rhys Morgan came up with a new half-back combination which saw ex-Leeds Tyke Mark Chester at nine with Charlie Du Pre switched to left wing in place of the injured James Tapster. And Combined Services stand-off Jim Farndon was given his first league start in place of out-of-form flu victim Lee Cholewa.
Up-front, Matt Challinor, another former Tyke, moved into the second row to partner new skipper Kiwi Brendan Back, with the Army's Garry Peacock given a full debut on the blindside.
Harrogate were ahead after six minutes with a Farndon penalty but fell behind to tries from Gareth Rawlins and Tom Foley before Farndon dropped a goal and Stuart Brown landed a penalty at the other end.
In the second half, Farndon kicked another penalty during a dour forward battle, which saw honours even until the 69th minute when Rawlins scored his second try following a lineout catch and drive - depriving Harrogate of the bonus point their deserved.
Updated: 10:47 Monday, December 20, 2004
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