A PURPLE patch, which involved “some of the best rugby I have seen played by Wharfedale”, spearheaded James Doherty's team to their first victory of the season.

The Greens were only leading Hinckley 18-16 at half-time but scored four quick tries in the second half to take the game away from the Midlanders on the way to a 51-33 victory as they broke their National League Two North duck.

"It was very, very ambitious rugby," said director of rugby Doherty.

"It would have been easy for us to go into our shells but I am so pleased that we didn't after a first half when we didn't play badly but made the odd mistake in an attacking sense."

First-half tries by full back Scott Jordan and flanker Lewis Wilson were followed by efforts from No 8 Rob Baldwin, scrum half Will Lawn and flanker Josh Burridge, plus that penalty try, while replacement Harry Bullough got their seventh and final try.

It was 18-year-old Lawn's debut, and Doherty said: "I texted him on Saturday morning and told him it was a beautiful, sunny day and his family and friends will be watching, so I just told him to enjoy himself.

"He played well. I made my debut for Wharfedale when I was 18 and his dad John was coaching!"

Hinckley, who had a forceful pack, grabbed five tries of their own, leaving Doherty to admit: "We have been concentrating on our attack but we now need to give equal emphasis to our defence, which we did in training on Tuesday and will do again tonight."

Wharfedale are still waiting to hear the scan results on fly half Tom Barrett, who injured a foot in the defeat at Otley on Saturday, September 10, but know a little more about lock George Hedgley, who was sent off in that game.

Doherty explained: "He has had his hearing but we don't know if some of his university games are meaningful enough to count towards his suspension, but we hope that he can play for us in a couple of weeks.

"We also hope to have Latvian prop Toms Asjevs available soon. He played for the Foresters against Durham University on Tuesday, while we are optimistic that his fellow Latvian forward Emils Blandonis will be joining us in a few weeks' time.

"He is currently sorting out work and family commitments at home but we have kept in touch with him."