Harrogate were unlucky to bow out of the Tetley's Bitter Cup to National League Two pacesetters Rugby.

The hosts also beat 'Gate at Claro Road on the opening day of the season, and fought off a brave performance to do a double with a 16-15 victory.

Harrogate were forced into a late change when centre Matt Duncombe reported unfit, to be replaced by former York Wasps winger Matthew Woodcock with Craig Reid drafted onto the bench, his first squad selection of the season.

Harrogate began brightly and had the better of the opening exchanges with a Lee Cholewa penalty after eight minutes their only reward.

Conditions were tricky on a muddy pitch and as Rugby began to assert themselves stand-off Barry Muir punished transgressions with two penalties.

But before the break, Harrogate had pushed themselves back in front as a shimmy from scrum-half Rhys Morgan created space for full-back Ed Smithies to speed over.

In the early part of the second half, Rugby's ex-Bridgend lock, Tim Collier, was driven over after a strong surge by the pack to regain the lead for his side.

And a piece of opportunism by Muir, who seemed to be covered by the defence but managed to outflank the cover, gave the home team a 16-8 lead.

Harrogate refused to accept defeat and mounted a series of attacks. With four minutes to go and Rugby down to 14 men with number eight Dave Muckalt sin-binned for a high tackle on Smithies, they struck.

Reid, who was on for Woodcock, made the try with a perfectly timed pass to James Tapster and he shot through a narrow gap to score under the posts - his sixth try of the season. Cholewa added the conversion but it was too little too late.

Harrogate coach Ralph Zoing has made no secret of the fact that his target is league success, and he was adamant after Rugby's 19-12 win at Claro Road in September that his team had the talent to match the side who are among the favourites for the title.

Four straight league wins have justified his words and, even with this setback, Harrogate will resume league action with a trip to another of the fancied sides, Rosslyn Park, with confidence.

Selby keep up momentum

SELBY'S climb up the Yorkshire division One table continued as they notched an impressive 18-7 home success over Keighley.

They started strongly and first half tries from prop forward Andy Minto and winger Kris Crompton put them in the driving seat, but Keighley stayed in touch with a touchdown from Peter Lee-Gallon and the visitors turned round trailing by just 12-7.

However, former York Wasps trialist Carl Paterson ensured that Selby would coasted to victory as he thumped over two penalties to add to his first half conversion.