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 January 12 to 18.

1. Harrogate Railway start to wobble

Harrogate Railway lost their second league game in a row on Saturday, having previously only lost one all season. Fifteenth-placed Doncaster City proved too much for the Rail as they ran out 4-3 winners in South Yorkshire. Now 15 points behind leaders Dearne and District with four games in hand, Railway can no longer overtake their title rivals.

2. Ripon City into County Cup quarter finals

Ripon City progressed into the quarter finals of the County Challenge Cup on Saturday as they beat Horsforth St Margaret’s 6-1. Two goals from Joe Payette and one each from Kyle Fox, Olly Washbrook, Clarke Doughney and Zack Gallimore finished off a top performance. City will face Field Olympic in the quarter finals on February 7.

3. Harrogate Town Women shine in County Cup demolition job

Harrogate Town Women showed their class as they beat Forge Way 11-0 in the County Cup on Sunday. Chloe Marshall took the match ball home, bagging four goals. Also on the scoresheet was Katie Taylor, who scored her first goal since returning from a lengthy injury. Town could face a local rival in either Harrogate Railway or Knaresborough Town in the next round, both of which received byes.

4. Boroughbridge Women through to League Shield next round

Boroughbridge AFC Ladies also progressed to the next round of the cup as they beat Leeds City 3-1 in the League Shield. Chloe Bethell scored twice in foggy conditions to sink the Leeds side. Boroughbridge will now play either Brayton Belles or Burley Trojans in the next round, which is to be decided on January 25.

5. Harrogate Rugby Club suffer further blow to promotion hopes

Harrogate Rugby Club suffered a further blow to their promotion hopes as they were beaten 17-8 away at promotion rivals Alnwick. The Aces were never able to recover as they fell behind 17-3 within the first 35 minutes. Alnwick have now overtaken Harrogate in the Regional 1 North East table, going three points ahead. With 52 points from 14 games, Harrogate are now 15 points behind the league leaders, Heath.

6. Harrogate Hockey Club gets first win in eight

Harrogate Hockey Club’s men’s team got their first win in eight on the first week back after the winter break on Saturday. Eddie Crossley bagged a hat-trick as they beat Lindum’s second team 5-1 away from home. Currently sitting in eighth place, this win brings Harrogate closer to seventh-placed Whitley Bay and Tynemouth, who only managed a draw at the weekend.

7. Ripon Rockets continue incredible winning streak

It looks as though Ripon Rockets may be heading towards a record-breaking season this year as they won their 12th of 12 games in the NYNAL Senior Winter League Division One. Beating Harrogate Harriers 55-33 at home on Monday, the Ripon side remained 14 points clear at the top of the league.

Results

Men's Football

Harrogate Railway

Doncaster City 4-3 Harrogate Railway

Knaresborough Town

Parkgate 4-3 Knaresborough Town

Ripon City

Ripon City 6-1 Horsforth St Margarets

Harlow Hill

Harlow Hill 2-2 Boroughbridge

Boroughbridge AFC

Harlow Hill 2-2 Boroughbridge

Women’s Football

Harrogate Town

Harrogate Town 11-0 Forge Way

Knaresborough Town

Postponed

Harrogate Railway

Postponed

Boroughbridge

Leeds City 1-3 Boroughbridge

Rugby Union

Harrogate Rugby Club

Alnwick 17-8 Harrogate

Ripon Rugby Club

Ripon 21-22 Bramley Phoenix

Knaresborough Rugby Club

Knaresborough 10-48 Leeds Modernians

Harrogate Pythons

Wensleydale 20-15 Harrogate Pythons

Men's Hockey

Harrogate Hockey Club

Lindum 1-5 Harrogate

Women’s Hockey

Harrogate Hockey Club

Ben Rhydding 3-0 Harrogate

Netball

Ripon Rockets

Ripon Rockets 55-33 Harriers

Harrogate Phoenix

Harrogate Phoenix 50-59 Storm

Claro Netball

N/A