Wharfedale 27 Chester 21

AN outstanding first-half performance by Wharfedale was enough to see them achieve a valuable four points and move out of the National Two North relegation zone.

But they were made to fight hard for their success as Chester hit back after the break by scoring 15 points while Wharfedale were down to 14 men after a yellow card for lock Richard Rhodes.

The visitors missed an early penalty shot before Wharfedale stepped up the pace and only some loose play seemed to stop them crossing the whitewash.

Chester were reduced to 14 men when full back Sean Green was yellow carded for a high tackle on Tom Barrett, while another promising attack was halted when prop Joe Altham got isolated after a turnover by Tom Davidson and conceded a penalty.

Wharfedale were doing all the attacking but poor execution prevented them turning possession into points. Chester were soaking up the pressure well and it was only when they were restored to full strength that Wharfedale took the lead.

Good line-out possession was won and Barrett ran at the defence to create room for an inside pass to Harry Bullough. Hooker Dan Stockdale continued the move before putting scrum half Jimmy Bullough in for a try under the posts. Barrett added the conversion.

Strong defensive work kept Chester at bay and their growing frustration was reflected when lock Joseph Kyle was marched back ten metres for protesting after the award of a penalty.

Further indiscipline enabled Barrett to kick deep into the visitors' 22. Good control of the ball saw Wharfedale worked their way through the phases before centre Tom Davidson made a charge for the line.

Quick recycling enabled second row Richard Rhodes to send Barrett bursting through for a try which he also converted for a 14-0 lead.

Solid tackling from Barrett, Oli Cicognini and Harry Bullough kept Chester at bay during a period of pressure from which the only reward was a penalty from Callum Bennett.

More good pressure was relieved by a thumping tackle from man of the match, Lewis Wilson before Wharfedale scored their third try.

Clean line-out ball was spun into midfield and a dummy run from Andy Hodgson was followed by a timely pass for Robbie Davidson to beat the cover with his speed and good line of running. Barrett's conversion meant Wharfedale went in at half-time with a 21-3 lead.

There was little bit of a Chester fightback before Barrett kicked a penalty to extend his team's advantage, but a 46th minute yellow card for Rhodes was to change the complexion of the game.

The visitors took full advantage of the lock's absence. An unconverted try from Harrison Vare was followed by a Joshua Morris penalty.

When Morris converted Ross White's try, Chester were within a score of the home side, but a Barrett penalty steadied the home crowd's nerves, before Morris replied in kind.

It meant the last three minutes were a nail-biting time for the home support with a great cheer of relief going up with the final whistle when victory was confirmed.

The statistics looked good with the home pack achieving a 100per cent success rate in the set pieces. The line-out work was particularly good and ensured that scrum half Jimmy Bullough had time to launch the backs.

Harry Bullough and Cicognini both carried the ball well and made timely tackles to stem the Chester tide while both Davidson brothers were influential in attack.

Another pleasing feature of the win was the performance of Rhodes who showed that he is returning to his best.

Wharfedale: H Bullough; R Davidson, Hodgson (Prell 77), T Davidson, Cicognini; Barrett, J Bullough; J Altham, Stockdale (Larkin 41), Asejevs (Huck 52), Rhodes (Allen 57), Hedgley, Whyte, Wilson, Burridge (c). Replacement (not used): Will Lawn.