HARROGATE made it four victories out of five by winning 24-3 at Lydney to go joint-top of National League North with Rugby.

Harrogate had to make a late change when Yorkshire Under-20s forward Matt Boyle pulled out with an injury, forcing coach Ralph Zoing into a re-think of the best use of his slender back row resources.

He solved the problem by moving RAF lock Peter Taylor to the blindside flank and drafting in ex-Blaydon second rower Jim Houghton for his first start with his new club.

Harrogate also had to contend with some dubious tactics by the home side who had two players sin-binned as they battled hard to put a poor start to the season - they still have just one win - behind them.

Skipper Rhys Morgan, who has been in sparkling form all season nipped in for two tries to take his tally for the month to five and full-back Ed Smithies intercepted as Lydney attacked and dashed away for a third score.

Fly-half Lee Cholewa, who has not had the best of starts since taking over place-kicking duties from Matt Dumcombe, did his kicking confidence a power of good. He improved all three tries and also added a penalty.

Zoing knows a trip into the Forest of Dean is always a tough one and he will be happy to have come away with the points.

Now he has to lift the side for a Tetley's Bitter Cup visit to table-topping rivals Rugby. He could have influential flanker Mike Worden, who has missed the last two games with a neck injury, back in contention.