National League One: Wharfedale 13 Blaydon 27

BLAYDON came off the pitch worthy winners after this battle of northern clubs.

With both clubs desperately needing a win, it was the visitors who showed superior control of possession and territory to run out deserved victors.

Wharfedale started brightly and looked like scoring until Blaydon held a drive and cleared their lines.

It was then Blaydon who had the upper hand, and every attack gained three points or more.

Surprisingly it was Dale who had the edge in the scrum but they could not turn this to their advantage.

Blaydon’s defence was good enough and stayed strong all afternoon.

Brett Connon opened the visitors' account with two penalties before Will Witty ran a great line to extend the score, bursting through an otherwise strong Wharfedale defence to cross the whitewash.

Connon added the extras to give Blaydon a 13-point lead but the Greens got back into the game with a catch and drive from Blaydon’s 22, Chris Howick being awarded the touchdown.

Jamie Guy just missed from the tee but responded in the 34th minute with a penalty, three minutes after another Connon success.

Blaydon ended the first half with a Jason Smithson try when he broke from a rolling maul to crash over, Connon failing with the conversion.

Dan Tai collected a superb cross-kick to score an unconverted try for Wharfedale in the second half, while Connon slotted two more penalties to bring his tally to 17 points.