Harrogate Pythons 44 v 13 Bridlington RUFC
By Alexander Fynn
Bridlington RUFC began their 2026/27 away campaign with a 44–13 defeat to Harrogate Pythons.
The first half began with the Pythons having most of the ball. They almost opened the scoring when Matthew Sharp played an overhead pass to Connor Spence, but the Bridlington defence held firm to force him into touch.
It took 20 minutes for the deadlock to be broken after Bridlington collapsed a scrum. Joe Rowntree was successful with the resulting penalty to make it 3–0.
Not long afterwards, Josh Stanyon levelled the scores from the boot after a high tackle on Billy Carter, sending his penalty through the uprights.
After a long stoppage in play, the Pythons scored the first try of the game from a lineout. The ball was played out to Josh Moving, who was able to charge over. Rowntree converted.
Bridlington almost closed the gap shortly afterwards from a lineout. Tom Benninger ran forward towards the try line, but the Pythons defence forced him into touch.
That defence soon turned into points for the hosts as Harry Brayshaw played a long grubber kick forward from halfway. He chased it down and touched down, but Rowntree’s conversion hit the woodwork.
The second half began in similar fashion to the first, with the Pythons showing plenty of intent in attack. However, it was the blue and golds who closed the gap when Kop Harrison broke through the defence on halfway and sprinted forward to touch down. Stanyon converted.
Bridlington closed the gap again from the boot when Harrogate were caught offside. Stanyon’s successful penalty made it 15–13, but Rowntree then kicked a penalty to extend Harrogate’s lead to five points.
Harrogate quickly extended their lead to 12 after a fluid backs move sent Sharp through to score. Rowntree converted, while Zane Fenton and Rhys Cory were sent to the sin bin for fighting.
Having just returned from the sin bin, Cory extended Harrogate’s lead. After the hosts enjoyed significant spells close to the try line, he was able to force his way over. Rowntree converted.
Harrogate scored again from a lineout when the ball was played out to Brayshaw, who went over for his second try of the afternoon. Rowntree was unsuccessful with the conversion.
On the stroke of full time, Cory scored his second of the afternoon. Sharp broke through the blue and golds’ defence and offloaded to Cory, who touched down. Rowntree converted to complete the scoring.
Captain Corban Oakes shared his thoughts on the afternoon’s defeat on the road.
“I thought it was a close game in the first half. I think both teams were giving it their all at each other, and in the second period, obviously missing a few key players, I think we could be a lot better in our fitness. They definitely pulled away and were a very classy outfit.”
“It’s a long season over here, 22 games, so we can’t expect the same starting team week in, week out. This week was about blooding a few new players and getting them in and around the team because, as the season goes on, we will need to use them.”
“I thought Callam Sanderson had a good game with his ball carries. They were needed for us this afternoon. Gary Heeley had a good game. I thought some of his tackles were pivotal for us, especially in that first half.”
“I think for us, it’s going to be tightening up our discipline a bit and completing our tackles. Whoever we’ve got in the team, it’s going to be a next-man-up mentality, so getting around the team and preparing well.”
