Wharfedale 27 Tynedale 3

WHARFEDALE took another step towards National League Two North safety with victory in an entertaining game at the Avenue.

The Greens had the majority of territory and possession, and despite the conditions manufactured five tries in the wet and windy conditions and kept Tynedale to a penalty.

The home side were soon on the front foot, carry after carry from the forwards pushed Tynedale back and intelligent kicking into the wind by Tom Barrett meant that 90per cent of the first half was spent in the visitors' half.

Dale also enjoyed the Lion’s share of possession and only desperate defence plus the conditions restricted them from being further ahead at half-time.

Wharfedale’s opening foray was only halted when Barrett’s first touch kick was held up in the wind and allowed Tynedale to escape with a long clearance.

Tynedale enjoyed a short period in the home 22 which was cut short by an interception by Scott Jordan who ran the ball up to the visitors' ten-metre line.

The speedy winger could not get up to his normal speed in the sticky conditions, but the break was not wasted. The support was there and a penalty was won.

Errors prevented Wharfedale decorating their supremacy with points. An impressive drive from a scrum was spoiled when Tynedale pinched the ball, before an accidental offside ruined another good move.

There was also a lucky let off for Tynedale when Jordan grazed the touchline while diving over the line for a try.

The Greens were mounting immense pressure on Tynedale and eventually something had to give.

After various offences and a warning, it was the Tynedale No 8, Scott Powell, who was shown a yellow card.

The next catch and drive saw Dale charge forward with consummate ease for another try from hooker Dan Stockdale just a minute after Powell left the action. Barrett missed the conversion.

Tynedale were briefly back in the game with a long-range penalty from Ash Smith.

The Green Machine continued to threaten and ended the first half with a super try.

Barrett gave Jamie Guy an inside pass and the centre took full advantage. His strong running enabled him to break tackles before he went over under the posts.

Barrett added the extras to establish a 12-3 lead at half-time.

Tynedale had more possession in the second half but could not break down the home defence.

Powell was outstanding in his efforts but often his forays were not supported. His work included selling a dummy to Jamie Guy that Wales great Phil Bennett would have been proud of.

William Miller made a fine break after a Wharfedale handling error, but a superb cover tackle from Scott Jordan was enough to rescue the situation.

The Greens were soon were back in Tynedale’s 22 and an 18 metre catch and drive stretched the lead with Lewis Wilson getting the touch down. Barrett again fell foul of the tricky wind and missed the conversion.

Tynedale then had a period in Dale’s 22 but the Greens kept their shape, their discipline and a high tackle count and eventually a massive clearance from Barrett took the ball up to halfway.

A moment of Phil Woodhead brilliance turned defence into attack. He made a strong tackle, then turned the ball over and finished with a measured kick into the visitors' 22.

As in the first half Dale turned up the pressure on the Tynedale line. They were rewarded when Josh Burridge scored the bonus-point try. Barrett’s kick slid past the upright.

The conditions worsened as the game entered its final quarter and the ball became almost impossible to handle. The wind was driving the rain and making the pitch reminiscent of a mud bath.

The game finished with a flourish as Burridge grabbed his second try from 50 metres out when he took a quick penalty and ran in unopposed.

Guy’s conversion went astray but Dale had five vital points in the bag.

They are now 11th in the table, ten points above the relegation battle.

Wharfedale H Bullough; R Davidson, T Davidson, Guy, Jordan; Barrett (Tincknell 63), Woodhead; Howard (Larkin 30, Howard 72), Stockdale (Poole 53), Asejevs (Huck 53), Hedgley, Rhodes, Baldwin (Kitching 62), Wilson, Burridge