Tai breaks Mowden Park spirit as Wharfedale secure first home win

WHARFEDALE'S first-half dominance held the key to their first home win of the season.

The Greens established a 24-0 lead which proved to be invaluable as the visitors hit back after the break in a fast and open game.

Their powerful pack hauled them back into contention at 31-21 and they were threatening to earn at least a four-try bonus point when Dan Tai scored a stunning breakaway try.

Wharfedale followed up with another quick break which earned a penalty try and secured a comfortable margin of victory for them.

Wharfedale head coach Tom McGee was delighted with the win. He said: "We've had some disappointments and dents to confidence through September into October with results and injuries. That will happen in the course of a season – that’s sport.

"The only theme through the week was 'find a way to win'. That theme was based on attitude in defence and we backed that up with what we did during the game.”

The opening 17 minutes were close, with neither side able to break the deadlock.

Dale’s opening try came from a good Darlington clearance. Josh Burridge caught the ball in touch and fired a quick line-out to James Doherty.

He linked with Max Wright, who sent Dan Tai speeding into the visitors' 22. Quick recycled ball was then moved right through the hands of George Hedgley, Ian Larkin, Jim Mason and Matt van Sertima before finding prop Ali Wade on the right wing to touch down.

Wharfedale’s second score came when good pressure saw them force a penalty from a five-metre line-out. It was taken quickly and led to a second penalty and a yellow card for Darlington prop Gareth Nesbitt. Simon Guy made no mistake with the kick.

Dale scored again just a minute later. From the kick-off Doherty put up a box kick. Howick and Tai followed up and did enough to create havoc. Huw Morgan collected the ball and fed Max Wright, who was strong enough and fast enough to beat the defence.

After a poor Darlington restart, the Greens won the resulting scrum and Rob Baldwin burst through before feeding Doherty, who spun through tackles to score. With Guy again accurate with the conversion, the lead was 24-0.

Darlington’s forwards tested the Green Machine at the end of the first half, putting in 10 phases at the river end before committing an error.

The introduction of replacement Simon Uzokwe seemed to lift the visitors in the second half. He immediately made an impact and his urgency led to a try which opened Darlington's account. Garry Law slotted over the extras.

Wharfedale answered with a catch and drive of their own which resulted in Nathan Myers going over.

With Uzokwe leading the charge, Darlington surged back into the game with converted tries from Benjamin Frankland and a second for Uzokwe.

The pressure leading to Uzokwe’s score led to Cameron Hudson picking up a yellow card. With Law’s conversions the score was now 31-21 and the visitors were sensing a bonus point, perhaps two or even a win.

Their fourth try looked on as they again pressed the attack into Dale’s 22. Debutant prop Ric Cano noticed that the ball was loose and pounced on it. Not only that, Cano quickly fed Tai.

He raced 90 metres to score and break the spirit of the Darlington players. Dale then attacked again and were soon camped on Darlington’s try line. Strong play led to a penalty try and a yellow card for Law.

Dale’s final flourish finished off a good day at The Avenue.

Wharfedale: Labasse, Tai, Wright (Hudson 63), Morgan, Van Sertima, Guy, Doherty, Altham (Cano 54), Larkin (Stockdale 48), Wade (Altham 76), Mason, Hedgley, Burridge, Howick (Myers 48), Baldwin.