Huddersfield 2nds 0 Wharfedale Foresters 54

THE Foresters built on their fine performance at Sheffield with a comprehensive Yorkshire Merit Premiership win at Huddersfield.

The home side were dogged in defence and the Greens were only able to really cut loose in the latter part of the game.

Andy Rhodes scored the first of his 19 points with the opening try following several phases of attack after an attacking line out.

The key impetus to create the score came from a burst from Alistair Allen, who enjoyed a fine afternoon except for the odd lapse when receiving kick-offs. Rhodes added the conversion and was only to miss once from the tee all afternoon.

Wharfedale almost had a second try when Ralph Wellock was illegally impeded chasing his kick to the line.

A yellow card was shown to the Huddersfield wing and it would have been a penalty try if Wellock’s kick ahead had not been destined for the car-park.

The resulting line-out was scrappy but Sam Smith was first to pounce to gather the loose ball and dive over.

After just four minutes it seemed that a cricket score may be on the cards but the Huddersfield team came back into the game.

Wharfedale showed aggression in defence and there were only the briefest of openings for the home team.

The match was much more even, however, and the Foresters only added one more try before the break through Ralph Wellock to make it 21-0 at half-time.

The early stages of the second half were again more closely contested with errors from both sides preventing the game from flowing. Chris Swainson made an impact from the bench and touched down for a pushover try from a five-metre scrum.

After 15 minutes the Foresters clicked into gear and produce their best rugby of the game. Four tries came in quick succession with great handling from backs and forwards alike.

Wellock completed his hat-trick. His last try started inside the Foresters’ 22. Ben Parkinson’s pass gave him the room to take on his opposite number and he left all in his wake to go the length of the field.

Oliver Snowdon also grabbed a brace, the first after he hit the line at pace to break through the Huddersfield defence.

It was another good showing from the Foresters. Jake Parkinson was, as ever, prolific in attack and made a number of breaks.

The forwards dominated both the set piece and at the breakdown, which allowed half-backs, Will Lawn and Annett, opportunity to set the backs moving, with Wellock the main beneficiary.