'Gate's class tells

Bracknell had territorial advantage for most of the game but Harrogate had the players to capitalise on their sparse opportunities as they ran in four tries, four conversions and a penalty to Bracknell's one penalty, one try and one conversion.

Bracknell began briskly and produced a penalty from fly half Hallet after eight minutes.

It was 25 minutes before Harrogate broke out of their own half but they produced a spectacular try following good approach work and quick handling by Visser, Duncombe and Sarjeant. When the ball came to full back Ed Smithies he chipped ahead from 30 metres out and outpaced Bracknell's Chris Perkins for the touchdown.

With two minutes of the half remaining Smithies produced a carbon-copy moved with Gabriel, Visser and Boyle in the supporting roles. Duncombe converted both tries.

Bracknell continued their territorial advantage in the second half but the Harrogate defence was solid and when the opportunities arose they took them in sensational style.

Lee Cholewa replaced Sarjeant and Mike Worden replaced Vickers just after half-time but it was 20 minutes from the end before Harrogate broke out of Bracknell's territorial stranglehold. Breaks by Duncombe and Barker on the half-way line set up a try for Cholewa.

Bracknell finally profited from their territorial superiority and drove a maul over the Harrogate line for second row Barry to touch down. Hallet converted then Duncombe replied with a penalty.

In the last ten minutes Harrogate turned on the power and had Bracknell on the rack and centre Barker shrugged off two tackles for another converted try.

Updated: 10:18 Monday, February 16, 2004