Northallerton Rugby Club's second team claimed bragging rights on the weekend, triumphing over local rivals Wensleydale in a spirited friendly match.
The home side, a blend of seasoned players and promising youngsters, proved too much for their opponents, securing a 27-19 victory.
The match was played in sunny conditions, with Northallerton starting strong and attacking the Wensleydale defence from the off.
It didn't take long for outside centre Ben Gray to collect a loose ball and score the first try, setting the tone for the game.
His successful conversion took the score to 7-0.
Northallerton RC 1st vs Baildon (Image: Supplied)
The team showed their intent to maintain pressure on Wensleydale, with Ollie Redding making a crucial intercept, setting up a try for debutant Archie Norris.
Despite North's strong start, Wensleydale found their footing, exploiting spaces in Northallerton's defence to score their first try.
A further penalty try for a high tackle levelled the score at 12-12 at half-time.
The second half saw Northallerton kick off with renewed energy, and a quick tap penalty from Gray allowed Jake Fisher to add another try to his season tally.
Wensleydale responded quickly with an equalising try, keeping the score tied going into the final quarter.
The introduction of experienced players Doug Mulholland and Dan Luck injected fresh energy into the Northallerton side.
David Baker scored another try from a Mulholland tap penalty, pushing Northallerton into the lead once more.
The closing stages of the match were fiercely contested, with both teams refusing to back down.
It was a clever inside pass from Mulholland that found Luck on a short line, breaking through the defence to score the decisive try.
This brought the game to a close, with Northallerton securing a 27-19 win.
The victory was a testament to the team's blend of youth and experience, with their tactical approach proving effective against the Wensleydale side.
The club expressed their gratitude towards the referee, the Wensleydale team, and their supporters for contributing to the day's success.
While the second team celebrated their win, the first XV faced a challenging encounter against Baildon in a league match.
Despite starting positively, Northallerton struggled to contain Baildon's attacking strength, eventually suffering a 45-22 defeat.
Northallerton opened the scoring with a try from Connah Richmond, but Baildon quickly responded with a converted try of their own.
The game continued in a back-and-forth fashion, with Northallerton's Iain Swall and Luke Sutherland adding further tries to their tally.
However, Baildon's attacking prowess proved too much for the home side, particularly following the introduction of their experienced full-back in the second half.
Despite the defeat, Northallerton's performance showed signs of improvement, and the team remain positive about their development throughout the season.
They secured a four-try bonus point thanks to Ed Neville's late try, providing some consolation from the match.
Northallerton expressed their thanks to the referee, Baildon, their supporters, and the club's volunteers for their contributions to the day.
The club is always welcoming new members, with training sessions held throughout the week for men, women, and juniors.
