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 January 19 to 25.

1. Harrogate Railway losing streak continues

Harrogate Railway continued their mid-season wobble on Saturday as they were defeated 5-3 by league leaders Dearne and District. This was the Rail’s second loss of the week, having narrowly been knocked out of the County Cup by Tadcaster Albion on Tuesday. Rob Youhill’s side has now lost three league games in a row and have fallen to fourth place with 59 points from 27 games. Should they win their four games in hand over Dearne and District, they would still be six points behind the leaders.

2. Penalty save helps Boroughbridge move into promotion spots

A dramatic penalty save from Boroughbridge goalkeeper Mark Burniston ensured they held onto all three points on Saturday to put them into the promotion places. Ryan Bailes and Harry Burland both scored as the Bridge narrowly beat Kirk Deighton Rangers 2-1. Having been promoted into the West Yorkshire Association Football League Division One last season, Boroughbridge are now third in their new division. However, several of the teams below them have multiple games in hand.

3. Knaresborough Town Women suffer first loss 

Knaresborough Town Women’s lengthy period without playing may have contributed to the end of their unbeaten record on Sunday, as they were beaten 4-1 by Wyke Wanderers away. Beth Padget was the sole goalscorer for Knaresborough. The Boro had not played since December 14, when they beat Golcar United in the League Cup. Before Sunday, Knaresborough had won seven and drawn one in eight games. They now have 22 points from nine games, and can go two points behind league leaders Thackley if they win their two games in hand.

4. Harrogate RUFC destroy Cleckheaton

After a disappointing loss against Alnwick two weeks ago, Harrogate RUFC dusted itself down to stage an emphatic 82-0 whitewashing of Cleckheaton on Saturday. Jacob Percival bagged a hat-trick, while other tries came from Kristian Dobson, Benedict Richardson, Eoin Harrison, Amrit Sharma, Martin Dodds, William Hill and Jack Mallinson. Dobson converted 11 out of 12 times. Gaining all five league points, the Aces have remained in third place but reduced the gap between them and Alnwick to two.

5. Ripon Rockets maintain perfect record

Ripon Rockets have now won 13 league games in a row as they beat second-placed Storm 67-42 on Tuesday. With only five games left to play, there is a strong possibility that the Rockets could end the season having achieved maximum points – an incredible achievement in any sport. They are now 18 points clear of Storm meaning that two more wins will secure them the league title.

Results

Men's Football

Harrogate Railway

Tadcaster Albion 1-0 Harrogate Railway – County Cup

Dearne and District 5-3 Harrogate Railway – NCEL Division One

Knaresborough Town

Knaresborough Town 0-0 Garforth Town (Knaresborough win 5-4 on penalties) – County Cup

Knaresborough Town 4-1 Golcar United – NCEL Premier Division

Ripon City

Postponed

Harlow Hill

Harlow Hill 1-3 Silsden Whitestar

Boroughbridge AFC

Boroughbridge 2-1 Kirk Deighton Rangers

Women’s Football

Harrogate Town

Harrogate Town 1-6 South Shields

Knaresborough Town

Wyke Wanderers 4-1 Knaresborough Town

Harrogate Railway

Postponed

Boroughbridge

Postponed

Rugby Union

Harrogate Rugby Club

Harrogate 82-0 Cleckheaton

Ripon Rugby Club

Ripon 33-29 Old Otliensians

Knaresborough Rugby Club

N/A

Harrogate Pythons

Harrogate Pythons 25-24 West Leeds

Men's Hockey

Harrogate Hockey Club

Harrogate 2-0 Leeds Adel

Women’s Hockey

Harrogate Hockey Club

Harrogate 0-1 Morpeth

Netball

Ripon Rockets

Storm 42-67 Ripon Rockets

Harrogate Phoenix

Rebels 44-63 Harrogate Phoenix

Claro Netball

Galaxy 54-47 Claro Netball