Wharfedale Foresters 17 Darlington Mowden Park 12

FORESTERS produced a rousing performance to avenge the 61-14 defeat they had suffered at the hands of the Mowden Park earlier this season.

Despite the terrible weather the spectators were treated to a combative game which was dominated by the forward battle.

The early exchanges were close fought but it was Foresters who took the lead when Tom Whyte added another try to his growing collection.

Mowden Park responded with some powerful scrummaging which resulted in them taking the lead with a converted ry.

Foresters were under heavy pressure and they were handicapped by yellow card for Whyte and an injury for Will Bell.

It was at this point that they showed their tenacious qualities. The pack were simply in no mood to be dominated and flanker Chris Howick caused consternation in the opposition ranks.

Their hard work paid off when Joe Altham, who had replaced Matt Freeman in the front row, went over for a try which gave Foresters a 10-7 lead.

Foresters started the second half positively with Luke Stevenson slotting in comfortably as stand-off, while scrum half Jimmy Bullough kept chivvying his pack into great efforts.

The pressure resulted in Bullough diving through a crowd of players to score a try which James Druce successfully converted.

The Greens appeared to have a little breathing space with their 17-7 lead, but it didn't last long. Back again came Darlington with a pushover try.

This had become a ding-dong battle and it was impossible to know the final outcome. The replacementsJoe and George Altham, Rhys Davies, Jack Kitchen, Sam Smith, Ben Parkinson,Max Bell and James Meehan all contributed to great effect and Smith put in two delightful cover tackles at crucial times.

Harry Bullough was yellow carded in the closing minutes for not releasing the ball in front of his own posts, buyt the 14 men saw out the final few minutes to seal a fine win.

Foresters: Druce, Foulds, Stevenson, H Bullough, J Prell, Bell, J Bullough,Beesley, Parkinson J, Freeman, Borrill, Baines, Hawick, Tyson, Whyte. Replacements, Altham J Kitchen, G Altham, Davies, Smith, B Parkinson, M Bell, Meehan.