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 March 23 to 29.

1. Harrogate Railway closing in on play-offs 

Harrogate Railway are getting ever closer to securing a play-off spot after beating Goole AFC 3-0 on Saturday. Alex Burton got his team off the mark in the first minute, and an Alex Ingham double was enough to secure all three points for Rob Youhill’s men. With four games left until the play-offs, The Rail are looking to gain some stability as they aim for promotion. Since the turn of the new year, the Station View side have lost six games, compared to just one before it. After two disappointing results the week before against Leeds UFCA and Winterton Rangers, this win was a good way for them to get back on track.

2. Harlow Hill drop to second for first time since September

Harlow Hill have dropped off the top spot in Division 1 of the West Yorkshire Association Football League for the first time since late September following a 3-3 draw away at Kellingley Welfare. A Greg Harrison goal and Scott Johnson double had Harlow 3-2 up with minutes to go, until a late Kellingley strike denied them all three points. Harlow Hill have also struggled somewhat since the turn of the new year, having won only one league game. Robin Hood Athletic have now leapfrogged Harlow Hill into first place after beating Huddersfield Amateur 4-0, but have played one more game than the Harrogate side. Should Harlow win their game in hand, they can go back into first place by a point.

3. Harrogate Rugby Club confirm play-off spot

Harrogate Rugby Club secured a play-off place in the Regional 1 North East league with a dominant 61-14 victory over Sandal on Saturday. Amrit Sharma’s four tries, alongside tries from Charlie Head, Kodie Brook, William Hill, Kristian Dobson and Benedict Richardson showed the firepower that The Aces have had to offer this season. With Ilkley losing for the second week in a row, they now mathematically cannot catch third-placed Harrogate. Harrogate will play Alnwick in the play-offs, with the winner being promoted alongside Heath. Dates have not yet been announced.

4. Ripon Rugby Club win five straight

Ripon Rugby Club have won five games in a row for the first time this season following a 20-3 away win over Baildon. Ripon, who are sixth in the Counties 2 Yorkshire, were only four points ahead of Baildon before Saturday, but now enjoy a six-point lead over the Bradford side. With three games remaining, and only six points between themselves and fourth-placed Huddersfield Laund Hill, Ripon’s upturn in form could be coming just at the right time for them to secure a strong league finish.

5. Harrogate Pythons beat third with minutes to go

Ninth-placed Harrogate Pythons staged an upset in the Counties 1 Yorkshire League on Saturday as they beat third-placed Yarnbury with a minute to go. Losing 21-17 with less than five minutes remaining, Ben Pryor broke through the Yarnbury defence to get his second try of the game. He converted his own try, winning it for the Pythons late on. Harrogate remain in ninth place, while Yarnbury have dropped to fifth. With three games to go, John Liley’s side sit six points behind Wensleydale.

Men’s Football

Harrogate Railway

Harrogate Railway 3-0 Goole AFC

Knaresborough Town

Wombwell Town 0-3 Knaresborough Town

Ripon City

Field Olympic 1-0 Ripon City

Harlow Hill

Kellingley Welfare 3-3 Harlow Hill

Boroughbridge AFC

N/A

Women’s Football

Harrogate Town

N/A

Knaresborough Town

Knaresborough Town 2-1 Silsden

Harrogate Railway

Harrogate Railway 1-4 Wyke Wanderers

Boroughbridge

Boroughbridge 2-1 Ackworth

Rugby Union

Harrogate Rugby Club

Harrogate 61-14 Sandal

Ripon Rugby Club

Baildon 3-20 Ripon

Knaresborough Rugby Club

Knaresborough 26-31 Leeds Modernians

Harrogate Pythons

Yarnbury 21-24 Harrogate Pythons