Caldy 26-22 Harrogate

May 5 2010 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

CALDY signed off their home campaign with a dramatic victory against an excellent Harrogate in a game that could have been won by either side. Harrogate picked up two bonus points and could have collected all five.

Harrogate were first to score when they broke up field on 12 minutes and after several phases of play found space on the left hand side and winger Sam Bottomley touched down for a superb team try.

Aspinall missed the conversion. Caldy hit back three minutes later when fly half Richard Vasey kicked a simple penalty after Harrogate were adjudged offside.

On 25 minutes, Harrogate captain Ed Smithies was the beneficiary after some more good back play from Harrogate and touched down to make the score 10-3 to Harrogate after Aspinall again missed.

Three minutes later Jon Sewell scored his first try of the season after Paul Arnold made a break in the Harrogate 22 metre zone and fed Sewell who powered over the line.

Vasey converted and five minutes later Collister scored Caldy’s second try after a great inside pass from John Broxson leaving the half time score 17-10 to Caldy.

Harrogate looked the stronger team in the second half but Caldy were first to score when Rich Vasey got a penalty from distance to stretch the lead to 20-10.

Caldy spent much of the second half with only 14 men following the sin binning of Olly Cooper and the red card for Jon Nugent for foul play.

Harrogate made their numbers tell on 70 minutes when Harrogate number eight Wilson scored out wide after a cheekily taken lineout and Aspinall missed the conversion.

Vasey hit back with a penalty and a drop goal before a late try from substitute Yorke and conversion from Davies left Caldy playing out a nervy last 5 minutes. Caldy hung on to collect four points.