This Saturday sees us head to Harrogate for Match Day 4 of the new season. We will be looking to build on last weeks home win, against Sheffield Tigers. The scoreline perhaps wasn’t reflective of the game with us outscoring Tigers four tries to one. That said, they punished our mistakes and ill-discipline, as they racked up 21 points via penalty kicks. Our defence has been much improved this season, and teams have struggled to break us down so far. We are confident that if we can implement the areas that we’ve been working on in training, we will be successful again today.

Harrogate, having been recently promoted back to National League Two North, are yet to win a game. They are typically stronger at home and pushed Wharfedale close a few weeks back. There are no givens in this league, and we know that we will have to work hard for every bit of success that we want. We will need an accurate and more-disciplined performance this Saturday.

We’ve shuffled the squad slightly as Owain Williams picked up an injury against Sheffield Tigers. Harvey May starts in his place. Luke Procter is unavailable, meaning that Ewan Naylor makes his first start of the season in the 2nd Row. Mike Ashdown starts in the front row, switching with Tom Guest who starts on the bench. Cam Wilkinson, who has really impressed with his energy, work rate and physicality, starts at 7, with Robbie Willetts on the bench. Scrum Half, Ciaran O’Donnell, makes a welcome return after injuring his ankle in preseason.

Finally, Alfie Longstaff, our dual-registered Hooker from Sale Sharks, comes onto the bench and will make his first appearance for the club. A product of Yorkshire Rugby Academy, Alfie secured a professional contact with Sale at the end of last season. He is a destructive ball carrier, dominant in defence, and is rated very highly by both Yorkshire and Sale. Tom Gilchrist, the Head of Academy at Yorkshire, said that we had signed “an unbelievable character, who brings a real intensity on the pitch and to everything that he does.”

Finally, Jacob Browne reaches a personal milestone this Saturday. When he takes the field against Harrogate, it will be for the 100th times as a 1st Team Hopper. Jacob has been (and is) one of our star players, in a very talented and skilful backline. His ability to counter-attack and to create space where none exists, combined with his speed and acceleration, mean that he is a constant attacking threat for any team that comes up against him. Well done, Jacob- Let’s have a hat-trick this Saturday to celebrate 100 caps!?

Preview by Dan Orwin

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