National League One: Darlington Mowden Park 36 Wharfedale 26

WHARFEDALE'S challenge of playing the division's form team was made immeasurably harder after only three minutes when No 8 Josh Burridge was sent off as Matt Walsh opened the scoring for Darlington.

Down to 14 men and under intense pressure, Dale quickly conceded two further tries to Peter Homan and Simon Uzokwe and were 17-0 down after 17 minutes.

However, a superb fightback, led by skipper James Doherty and supported particularly by flankers Jack Barnard and Chris Howick and centres Cameron Hudson and Ollie Fewtrell, led to tries for Ricky Cano and Barnard to put Dale in touch at 17-12 before Park ended the first half with a second try for Uzokwe.

Dale came out in the second half ready to take the game to Park, and a breakout by Phil Woodhead created the position for new Yorkshire Carnegie loan signing Jarad Williams to power over for a debut try.

At 22-19, the momentum was with Dale, but, after an hour, the effort of being a man down began to tell and Park gained the upper hand.

Strong running from the forwards and some incisive back play, led by impressive fly half Warren Seals, resulted in tries for No 8 Ollie Hodgson and flanker Luca Petillo.

In the last few minutes, tempers frayed and the referee resorted to issuing four yellow cards (George Hedgley, who had a fine game against his old club, and Steve Graham for Wharfedale and Rob Conquest and Garry Law for Park).

Playing 12 against 13, Dale secured a richly deserved and potentially vital bonus point with a last-minute try for Matt van Sertima.

Given the dreadful start, which, as Doherty acknowledged, could have led to a cricket score, this was a performance of great character by the entire squad, which will put the young Greens in good heart for the relegation battles to come.