HARROGATE sprang a couple of surprises by fielding a new pair of New Zealand forwards in the home game against Newbury.

But they could not stop 'Gate crashing to a 32-8 National Two defeat at Claro Road in a game littered with mistakes.

Former East Coast captain and No 8 Wirihana Raihania and Taranaki lock Brendan Back, both 28, both made an impact but Harrogate never looked like winning.

Newbury were ahead in the first minute when Australian stand-off Dave Harvey, a recruit from Bradford and Bingley, chipped over a penalty. He made it double figures soon after with a try and conversion. Mal Roberts scored Newbury's second try before Lee Cholewa pulled three points back on the stroke of half-time.

Centre Andrew Parkinson gave the home crowd a ray of hope when he got a hand to a Matt Duncombe kick ahead, but a Harvey penalty quickly snuffed out any thoughts of a comeback and further tries came from Kenny Bingham and Bruno Green, both improved by Harvey.

Updated: 11:35 Monday, October 25, 2004