Yorkshire Cup Final: Harrogate 16 Wharfedale 12 - Harrogate end long wait for White Rose cup glory

Sam Bottomley’s second-half try proved decisive as Harrogate outbattled their higher league opponents and claimed their 10th county triumph – 110 years after their first.

Dan Solomi’s piercing run left Harrogate standing still for the opening try on six minutes.

Lock Sam Brady was then sin-binned for a late hit on Wharfe captain and playmaker James Doherty, whose match was ended by the heavy impact.

Callum Irvine kicked a penalty for Harrogate, but Wharfe fly-half Jamie Guy missed two attempts.

Harrogate gained confidence from the misses and Irvine slotted over two penalties before half-time.

Wharfedale No 8 Josh Burridge was sin-binned in the second of those infringements, leading to dominance by National Two North side Harrogate.

Sam Bottomley darted in from his wing for a try after Luke Edwards carved the space, but Kerry Wood infringed at a driving maul and, from the line-out, Wharfe’s forwards forced the ball over, but again, Guy missed the kick.

After Wood returned, Willem Enslin looked destined to score, but he was taken into touch on the left wing a metre from the try-line.

Harrogate pressure followed as they ate away at the closing minutes and, despite a late surge forward from Wharfedale’s back Lloyd Davies, Gate’s victory was secured.