Wharfedale Foresters 50 Bradford & Bingley Barbarians 7

Once they had shrugged off the ring rust from their recent lack of league action the Foresters clicked into gear and made it 11 Yorkshire Merit Table Premier Division wins out of 11 at The Avenue on Saturday.

There were a couple of late changes to the side. Adam Whaites had been called up for first team duty at Fylde but stalwart prop Neil Dickinson returned and there was a surprise appearance from stand off Tom Barrett who has returned to the club on loan from Doncaster.

Despite the very testing conditions, the Foresters managed to produce another entertaining performance against battling opponents.

The tone was set in the first minute when Harry Bullough, switched to centre to accommodate Barrett’s return, broke clear to snatch a try which was converted by Barrett.

Considering the conditions, spec- tators were provided with excellent fare and a home side in full flow.

Whilst mistakes were understandably made, the Greens showed considerable enterprise and a willingness to play fast, open rugby.

Make no mistake though, Bradford & Bingley played with great commitment and grit, never lying down and in the first half were rewarded with a fine converted try.

Wharfedale really started to get on top after Tom Baines was replaced by George Altham and Jimmy Bullough, who scored a fine try in the corner, by Jason McRoberts.

Throughout Barrett, showed great alacrity as he stole the show with scored two well-taken tries and five successful conversions.

Once again the superior fitness of the Wharfedale side proved decisive in the strength-sapping conditions.

The tries started to flow as the forwards dominated.

The other scorers in the second period were Josh Prell, McRoberts, Tom Whyte and Tom Wareing. All the tries were well executed.

It was difficult to pick out individual performances, as all the team must be given great credit for playing with character, determination and an overriding will to win with style, which they certainly did.

The younger members of the squad continue to impress with Dan Stockdale benefiting from the experienced and wily campaigner Dickinson by his side.

There are several others again showing the advancement which will have delighted the coaches.

They are well drilled both physically and mentally and their approach to each game must be daunting to opposition sides.

They are proud of their unbeaten record and will not surrender it without a fight.