Wharfedale 13 Coventry 17

AFTER that record defeat at SSE National League One leaders Ealing Trailfinders the previous week, a visit from the side in second place on a long run of victories – and the only team to defeat Ealing so far this season – might not have been Wharfedale's next match of choice.

In the event, the Greens grabbed the chance to fully restore confidence and pride.

They fell agonisingly short of halting the visitors' surge into promotion contention – this being consecutive win number 15 – in a thunderous, totally absorbing match.

It must be doubtful, however, whether Coventry have had to fight harder for victory in that impressive sequence.

The Dalesmen pushed their famous visitors to the limit and, indeed, could well have clinched a win themselves in a tumultuous finale.

Early in the second half, Wharfedale led 13-7, and a home triumph seemed a distinct possibility.

However, Coventry have quality in abundance to which they have added determined resilience this season.

After an hour, they had a four-point advantage that their resolute defence protected to the final whistle.

In their first serious attack of the match, Coventry took a 7-0 lead in the tenth minute, a penalty to touch being followed by a routinely efficient maul for hooker Matt Price to touch down in the left corner, Cliff Hodgson converting well.

The Greens enjoyed the bulk of first-half possession but not until the closing minutes did they make it count.

A James Guy penalty, and his conversion of prop Jake Armstrong's charge-down try set the score at 10-7 at the interval.

Guy added a second penalty soon after the restart, but Coventry then capitalised on an extended period of pressure to force a winning lead through a Hodgson penalty and Price's second rumbled score, plus a conversion.

Wharfedale: L Davies; J Prell, C Hudson, T Davidson, O Cicognini; J Guy, J Doherty; J Altham (M Beesley 41), D Stockdale, J Armstrong (C Steel 41), A Howard, A Powell (J Armstrong 69), J Tyson, D Solomi, J Burridge.

Referee: Marcus Caton.