Wharfedale Foresters 26 Harrogate Georgians 25

FORESTERS snatched victory with the last kick of their first game in the new North East Championship.

Robbie Davidson coolly slotted the conversion to Sam Smith’s try as Wharfedale, who had trailed for much of the game, delighted The Avenue faithful.

Foresters, who have dominated the Yorkshire Merit Premiership in recent years, have been crying out for more competitive games, and they got one.

The visitors are old foes and arrived at the Avenue with a strong side after their first team game was called off.

After missing one penalty attempt, James Druce opened the scoring with his second, but it was Harrogate who scored the first try.

A series of mistakes by the Greens gave the visitors the opportunity to move ahead with a well-worked try.

Druce kicked his second penalty to edge Wharfedale ahead 6-5, but Harrogate soon hit back.

They capitalised on some indifferent tackling to score their second try and kicked a penalty soon after to establish a 13-6 half-time lead.

The Foresters were struggling to get their handling game going. There were also problems in the line-out where Tom Whyte was missed.

Harry Bullough was moved to stand off to try and lift the Foresters while Davidson slotted in at full back.

The move didn’t produce the spark the Foresters needed as Bullough struggled to exert his influence on a side lacking its usual fluency.

Druce kept Foresters in the hunt with a third penalty before Harrogate scored a third try. The conversion went over off a post to open a 20-9 lead.

Wharfedale had to rely on a fourth penalty to cut the deficit. Robbie Davidson, who had taken over the kicking duties, was on target.

Wharfedale were beginning to find their rhythm and were rewarded with their first try when James Huck scored. Davidson’s successful conversion reduced Harrogate’s advantage to 20-19.

In a tense finale, Harrogate were reduced to 14 men when their scrum half was yellow carded. The Foresters took full advantage when second row Sam Smith went over for a try.

It meant Davidson had to land the conversion to overturn Harrogate’s 25-24. He held his nerve and Foresters celebrated as the kick sailed between the posts.