National League Two North: Stourbridge 18 Wharfedale 9

WHARFEDALE travelled south last Saturday and were disrupted by problems on the M6 but hosts Stourbridge were, as expected, more generous than some clubs and agreed to a delayed kick-off.

The home crowd and the faithful few that had made it were hoping for an open, attractive game of rugby but both sets of supporters were sometimes at a loss as to what was happening on the pitch.

Dale played with a lot more heart and courage than in previous weeks and deserved some reward for their efforts, and the home support commented on the commitment of the visitors and the way they played.

One try apiece was scant reward for the players or the paying public but Dale should be proud of the way they played the game.

There was the odd mistake in handling, there was the odd missed tackle but this was an improved performance, with all players getting involved and giving 100 per cent.

Stour opened up with a penalty by Luke White after four minutes and he converted Tatenda Mukarati's try four minutes later.

Jamie Guy brought Dale on to the scoreboard with a penalty before White stretched Stour's lead width two more penalty kicks.

Wharfedale's try came from a left-footed chip from Rob Baldwin.

With confusion in the defence, Baldwin got another foot to the ball which the backs followed up and reclaimed, soon putting Will Lawn over in the corner, Guy missing from wide out with the conversion.

The only score of the scrappy second half was a penalty by White, and Dale left with no points but the admiration of the home supporters.