Wharfedale 29, Hartpury College 3

WHARFEDALE threw off the tag of plucky losers in the last league game of the season with a superb display against highly-placed Hartpury.

Dale competed from the kick-off and had the lion's share of possession and territory in the first half, despite playing up the Yorkshire slope. The only area that the students had the edge was in the scrum.

A clever move at the front of the line-out led to a break from James Doherty, who fed Ian Larkin for Wharfedale's first try which proved too difficult for Jamie Guy to convert. Dale's second try came from good work from forwards and backs which led to Jack Barnard crossing in the corner. Again, Guy was unsuccessful with the conversion.

The students got on the scoreboard just before half-time with a penalty from the boot of Craig Jackson.

The Green machine turned on an exhibition of rugby in the second half, giving the students a lesson in discipline, defence and control of the ball. Dale gained control of the set-piece and, although their lineout creaked a little, they again dominated a lacklustre students team.

Pressure from the Dale pack created the opportunity for a Dan Solomi dart from two metres (again unconverted) before Solomi ran in a glorious try from 60 metres, breaking tackles and rounding the full back as well.

More pressure from Dale led to a penalty try, with Guy converting the last two for a final score which was just reward for a magnificent display.