Every Monday, the Stray Ferret publishes a round-up of sports action in the Harrogate district. We will focus on the first team results of local amateur and semi-professional sports clubs. Here's what happened during the week of October 20 to 26.

Men's Football

Harrogate Railway

Harrogate Railway won both league matches last week, defeating Nostell Miners Welfare 2-1 and Winterton Rangers 4-1. Harris Eggleston and Joe Navier scored for Railway against Nostell, with Harry Lynn being named player of the match. Sam Clothier, Alex Ingham x2, and Dom Creamer scored against Winterton. Alex Ingham was named player of the match. The Rail now have 42 points from 17 games in the NCEL Division One. Should they win their two games in hand they would overtake leaders Dearne and District.

Knaresborough Town

The Boro’ also played two games last week, beating Campion 2-1 in the County Cup first round and losing 2-1 against Eccleshill United in the league. Luke Stewart and Aaron White scored the goals for Knaresborough against Campion, and Jack Dyche scored against Eccleshill. During the Eccleshill match, forward Ben Gelder suffered a head injury which required him to be taken to hospital. The club announced on Saturday that he had been discharged and will now begin recovery. Knaresborough drop down to 12th in the NCEL Premier Division, having not won a league match for nine games. 

Ripon City

Ripon suffered their third defeat of the season on Saturday away at fifth-placed Oxenhope Recreation. Adam Haswell scored Ripon’s only goal in a 2-1 defeat. City are still third in the West Yorkshire Association Football League (WYAFL) Premier Division after 12 games, with 27 points. Field Olympic could overtake them on goal difference should they win their game in hand, though. Ripon missed a big opportunity to close the gap on league leaders Littletown, who were trounced 8-2 by Field Olympic.

Harlow Hill

Harlow Hill progressed to the next round of the West Yorkshire League Cup on Saturday with a 5-3 victory over Otley Town. James Buchanan, Scott Johnson x2, William Kemp and Hayden Gray all got on the scoresheet for Harlow.

Boroughbridge AFC

The Bridge drew 2-2 away at Horsforth St Margaret's on Saturday. Ryan Bailes scored both goals. Having played nine games, Boroughbridge sit in 10th place in the WYAFL Division One with 10 points. They are currently four points above the relegation zone in the league to which they were promoted last year.

Women’s Football

Harrogate Town

Harrogate Town Women did not have a game again this week.

Knaresborough Town

The Boro’s perfect start to the season ended on Sunday (October 26) after a hard-fought 2-2 draw with third-placed Leeds Medics and Dentists. Lorna Wilkinson and Rachel Carmichael scored Knaresborough’s goals, with Beth Padget being named player of the match. Knaresborough remain in second place in the West Riding County Women's League (WRCWL) Premier Division, having picked up 16 points from six games. They are two points behind leaders Thackley, with a game in hand.

Harrogate Railway

Harrogate Railway registered their second win of the season with an emphatic 7-1 win over Forge Way on Sunday. A Leona Bain hat-trick, a brace from Elisa Hodson, and singles from Pips Waite and Imogen Willetts rounded off a brilliant team performance. Both Harrogate wins this year have been thrashings: they beat Skipton 8-0 two weeks ago. Railway are now seventh in the WRCWL Premier Division.

Boroughbridge

Boroughbridge lost 2-1 at home to Bradford City under-23s on Sunday. Chloe Bethell scored the Bridge’s only goal. They are eighth place in the WRCWL Division One, having picked up three points from their first five games. While they are only a point above last-placed Field, they have two games in hand over them and ninth-placed Brayton Belles.

Rugby

Harrogate Rugby Club

Harrogate lost out in a low-scoring game against league leaders Heath on Saturday. After being 5-3 up at halftime, the Aces succumbed to a second-half comeback, which saw Heath win 13-5. Harrogate’s only try came from Amrit Sharma, with the conversion being missed by Rory Macnab. The loss sees Harrogate drop to fourth in the Regional 1 North East League, with 26 points from their first seven games. They are currently eight points adrift of the top.

Ripon Rugby Club

Ripon were awarded the win against Ashington on Saturday, after the Northumberland side were unable to field a team. Ripon will progress to round three of the Counties 2 Cup.

Knaresborough Rugby Club

Knaresborough Rugby Club did not have a game last weekend.

Harrogate Pythons

Harrogate Pythons did not have a game last weekend.

Men's Hockey

Harrogate Hockey Club

Harrogate Hockey Club did not have a game last weekend.

Women’s Hockey

Harrogate Hockey Club

Harrogate Hockey Club did not have a game last weekend.

Netball

Ripon Rockets

Ripon Rockets continued their perfect start to the season with a 47-37 away win against Rebels on Tuesday (October 21). They remain in first place in the NYAL Senior Winter League (NYALSWL) Division One, having won all five of their games. With 25 points, they currently have four more than second-placed Claro Netball, who have 21.

Harrogate Phoenix

Harrogate Phoenix have extended their losing streak to five, after a tight 51-46 loss to Galaxy on Tuesday. They currently sit in last place in the NYALSWL Division One, having lost all five games. With 5 points from their first five, they are six points behind ninth-placed Diamonds.

Claro Netball

Claro Netball beat Sirens 47-31 on Monday (October 20). They currently sit in second place in the NYALSWL Division One, with 21 points. They are four points behind league leaders Ripon Rockets.