Maximum haul almost guarantees Wharfedale safety

There was a buoyant mood at the finish at Threshfield yesterday where two well-taken Wharfedale tries at the start of the second half rescued this game from its earlier dire mediocrity and produced the platform for an eventual resounding home win – one that almost guarantees them safety in SSE National League One.

An error-strewn first half played in perfect spring conditions ended with the home side just 6-3 ahead from two Tom Barrett penalties to an eventual one in reply from former Wharfedale captain Andy Baggett, whose rather unhappy return to The Avenue included missing two simple early chances and fluffing more kicks out of hand.

Despite looking the likelier side, Wharfedale’s tendency to surrender possession within moments of gaining it allowed the visitors long periods of largely fruitless attack.

The Greens did end the half on a better note with a fine sweeping touchline break by winger Dan Hart ending frustratingly short at the line.

Once the Greens forsook isolated promise for more sustained and focused attack, they were rewarded with a corner try from full back Luke Gray, supplied by a neat over-arm pass by Dan Solomi.

This was swiftly followed by an excellent classic dummying outside break by Barrett, who glided smoothly between the posts. The young fly half, who had an excellent game throughout, converted both, the first with a towering kick from the touchline for a comfortable 30-6 lead.

Though nothing was seen of the formidable forward power which has been at the core of their recent run of success, a somewhat under-strength Blaydon managed moments of possession.

But they were progressively outgunned by the Greens’ willingness to mount increasingly fluent running attack, featuring prominent contributions from Gray and James Tincknell.

Successive sweeping forays upfield produced the platform for a close drive to the line, which gave Solomi his 15th try of the season, once more converted by Barrett to extend his personal tally to 17 points.

The visitors’ woe was compounded when they at last got over the Wharfedale line only to have the score disallowed for foul play.

A rampant home side escaped to the other end to add a bonus-point try when returning veteran Andy Hodgson put fellow centre Tincknell over between the posts, allowing substitute kicker Simon Horsfall a simple final two points and the home side to play out the last ten minutes comfortably in charge, despite a gratuitous yellow card to replacement fly half Will Bell.