Every Monday, the Stray Ferret publishes a round-up of sports action in the Harrogate district, focusing on the first team results of local amateur and semi-professional sports clubs. Here's what happened during the week of December 15 to 21. 

1. Five up for Harrogate Railway 

Harrogate Railway put on an emphatic display in unfavourable weather to continue their pursuit of the league leaders on Saturday. Thick fog did not faze the Rail, as they walloped Appleby Frodingham 5-0. Harry Lynn x2, Alex Ingham, Harris Eggleston and Ben Parkes all scored for Railway, who are now 10 points behind Dearne and District with five games in hand.

2. Youngster on form as Knaresborough Town win two in a week

Seventeen-year-old George Meaking found the net in two separate Knaresborough Town wins last week. Simon Parkes’ side achieved comfortable wins against Ilkley Town (4-0) and Bottesford Town (6-2), progressing to the next round of the county cup in the former. Against Bottesford, winger Lewis Knight scored a goal of the season contender when he lashed the ball into the top corner on the volley from around 25 yards out. You can watch it here.

3. Red cards as Boroughbridge move to fourth 

Newly promoted Boroughbridge moved within a point of the promotion places as they defeated third-placed Otley Town on Saturday, in a game that saw both teams have a man dismissed. Tommy Ekin was sent off for foul and abusive language, but goals from Matt Coles and Lewis Pye were enough to ensure the Bridge edged past their promotion rivals. Andrew Howland was sent off for Otley.

4. Harrogate rugby club hit Blaydon road bump

Harrogate RUFC hit a bump in the road to promotion as they lost their first game in six against Blaydon on Saturday. The Aces were drawing at halftime in a match that saw both teams branded yellow cards. Harrogate were just six points behind league leaders Heath, but with them picking up four points, the gap has increased to 10.

5. Knaresborough RUFC battered in league/cup double-header

Knaresborough RUFC were dominated by league leaders Nestle Rowntree in a rare double-header game on Saturday. The two sides were due to play each other in the league and the cup separately, but rolled it into one game. Playing at their home ground in York, Nestle Rowntree won 67-0, sending Knaresborough out of the Yorkshire Vase. Knaresborough remain in fifth place in the Counties 4 Yorkshire North League with 16 points from 12 games.

Results

Men's Football

Harrogate Railway

Harrogate Railway 5-0 Appleby Frodingham

Knaresborough Town

Knaresborough Town 4-0 Ilkley Town – County Cup

Bottesford Town 2-6 Knaresborough Town - League

Ripon City

Ripon City 1-0 Headingley

Harlow Hill

Postponed

Boroughbridge AFC

Otley Town 1-2 Boroughbridge

Women’s Football

Harrogate Town

N/A

Knaresborough Town

N/A

Harrogate Railway

N/A

Boroughbridge

N/A

Rugby Union

Harrogate Rugby Club

Blaydon 26-21 Harrogate RUFC

Ripon Rugby Club

N/A

Knaresborough Rugby Club

Nestle Rowntree 67-0 Knaresborough

Harrogate Pythons

N/A

Men's Hockey

Harrogate Hockey Club

N/A

Women’s Hockey

Harrogate Hockey Club

N/A

Netball

Ripon Rockets

N/A

Harrogate Phoenix

N/A

Claro Netball

N/A