SSE National League One: Blaydon 34, Wharfedale 27

WHARFEDALE'S 'caravan' was delayed on the A1 and had little time to prepare for this vital match.

With 16 minutes to go, it looked like a wasted trip to the north east as the Greens were down to 14 men and trailed 34-15.

However, this was the signal for the Green Machine to find a gear and start to play with some drive and commitment.

They scored two tries in the last period, the second giving them a valuable two bonus points as it was their fourth try and brought them to within seven points.

Dale started brightly and went ahead after two minutes from a Jamie Guy penalty.

A clever blind-side move from a line-out brought Blaydon their first try by Robert Kalbrier, Andy Baggett's conversion from wide right just having the legs to creep over the bar.

He added a penalty after 15 minutes but the visitors seemed to be surviving until a yellow card was awarded to Adam Howard just before half-time.

Blaydon used the man advantage to force a catch and drive for an unconverted try, awarded to Harry Bate, and a justified 15-3 lead at the interval.

Still with a man advantage, William Witty scored a super try for Blaydon to start the second half but Wharfedale answered with a try from Cameron Hudson, Guy adding the two points.

The penalty count was growing against Dale, however, and this was impounded with another yellow card to Jake Armstrong and then a converted penalty try.

But again Dale countered when Lloyd Davies pounced on a grubber kick to score a try.

A bit of brilliance from Craig Willis, and the extras from Baggett, seemed to put the game out of reach though until Wharfedale bravely fought back.

James Doherty scored an unconverted try from Guy's chip ahead with four minutes left, and Wharfedale got a penalty try in the final minute which Guy converted to gain the two bonus points.