THE arms of the visiting Rugby RUFC players went up in unison at the end of this entertaining game to celebrate a 35-30 triumph over hosts Harrogate, which looked unlikely for the first 20 minutes of the game.

Rugby had the assistance of a strong wind in the first half and used it well to stay in Harrogate territory but Harrogate appeared to be in control with No 8 Cook and scrum half Visser controlling play.

The fly halves Cholewa and Rahui exchanged penalties in the first ten minutes. After 20

minutes Rugby won a scrum on the Harrogate 22. Full back Mitchell burst through for a try kicked by Rahui, who added another penalty.

Harrogate replied with a try by winger Tapster, but soon after a miss move in the centre allowed the Rugby scrum half to cross, Rahui adding the extras.

Harrogate produced three well-constructed tries from Taylor, Barker and Visser with two

conversions and a penalty from Cholewa.

But Rugby continued to make the most of their few opportunities with tries from substitute Davies and Simkiss with a conversion and a penalty from Rahui.

Cholewa's successful penalty in the first minute of injury time brought the score to within five points but the hosts ran out of time.

Updated: 10:57 Monday, March 15, 2004