Though both sides looked to play enterprising rugby their standards of execution did not always come off and need polishing up.

Wetherby started well against the strong wind and Ben Dalby went close but Harrogate replied strongly and they too were just denied by good Wetherby defence. They used the wind to good effect kicking to the corner and unsurprisingly they went ahead after 10 minutes with a penalty goal but the home side missed one. After 20 minutes Pythons scored a through their forwards with a drive from close range. It took the Reds 5 minutes to reply and again it was good forward work which enabled Jim Leigh to score.

With both sides throwing the ball about it was a close game but whereas Harrogate’s offloads were coming off the home team’s were often intercepted.

Wetherby suffered a serious blow when their influential playmaker Myles Oates was taken to hospital with a shoulder injury just before half time.

The second half was similar to the first with both sides trying to open up the other defence without much success. The Reds lost a player to the sin bin and Pythons capitalised with a good long range try to extend the lead to 13 – 5. The Reds suffered yet more injury woes perhaps due to the hard ground but they stuck to their task defending well. The lack of line out ball became apparent when Wetherby lost skipper James Gibson again with a another serious shoulder injury. Pythons exerted more pressure and 2 yellow cards for the Reds left them struggling. They responded well though after an interception try by Robbie Hardy covering over 75 yards which Alex Dus converted. Wetherby upped their game despite their reduction in numbered but were not able to score again leaving Harrogate justifiably winners on the day.

Next week Wetherby seconds are at home to Leos in a merit table game whilst the first fifteen have a week off from league rugby.