National League One: Wharfedale 12 Ampthill 29

AMPTHILL’S pack won this game in the first half, with efficient catching and driving from the line-out.

However, Dale opened the scoring after a superb break from Huw Morgan in which he beat the cover for an unconverted try.

Home mistakes then led to ample Ampthill possession and they took their chances well, Villi Ma-asi scoring twice behind his pack, with Elliot Clements-Hill converting the first.

Poor handling from Dale led to an attacking five-metre scrum for the visitors, and the home crowd expected the As to push over.

The Green Machine did not retreat but quick ball allowed Clements-Hill to squeeze in at the corner, although he failed with the extras.

Another mistake then gifted the ball to Clements-Hill, who ran from halfway to touch down under the posts, and he stretched the lead to 24-5 from the tee.

Dale fought back well in the second half but good pressure from the Ampthill forwards and excellent handling from their backs gave Clements-Hill another score wide right, the wind again spoiling his attempt to convert.

Wharfedale’s pack got stronger as the game went on and were rewarded with a catch and drive try of their own, Chris Howick touching down, Jamie Guy slotting an excellent kick from wide left, which at least meant that Dale won the second half!

Dale continue to dazzle one week, only to generally perform badly the next.

There were 11 handling errors against Ampthill and the line-out, which had purred for the last few games, performed abysmally, reaching 50 per cent completion.

If the six lost line-outs are added to the handling errors, it is barely credible that Dale competed at all.

There is an abundance of promise at The Avenue and this present incarnation of the Green Machine has been highly praised.

But they also need to be criticised when the overall effect is confusion and there are signs of nervy play.

The supporters want to see expansive, attractive rugby but not careless ambition.

There is also a skill level which demands higher completion rates in passing and handling.

The crowd did get behind the Green Machine, and the players know that they let the faithful down.

There needs to be faith in the squad, and there needs to be faith in the relationship between the supporters, the players and the coaching staff.

Coach Tom McGee called it a “very disappointing result and performance".

He added: "We knew exactly what Ampthill would bring with their heavy, physical forwards and direct game.

"The first 15 minutes looked promising, our shape and pass accuracy was good and we looked threatening with the ball, exposing Ampthill on edges and short sides.

"However we were the architects of our own downfall as the half progressed.

"It was clear to see what their strengths were in the conditions, with the driving maul and good on the counter.

"We let them off the hook and into our 22 with unforced errors. Three of Ampthill’s first-half tries were directly from us coughing the ball up, which surprised me as it’s not been a factor this season.

"Losing James Doherty during the week was a blow as he brings intensity, energy and direction to our play, then when Huw Morgan went off with a head injury we completely lost our shape and direction, which is something we need to look at.

"The biggest challenge for us is developing that tough, uncompromising consistent mental edge.

"We've seen our ability to create, defend tough, control periods, and compete with top teams.

"Backing it up every session, every week takes strong drive, resilience and perseverance – something we'll keep working hard on the training paddock on and with the players individually to improve.”

Ampthill's coach Paul Turner, who praised Wharfedale for the way that they tried to get back into the game, said: “Our forwards won the game for us in the first half."

Howick, despite his yellow card at the end for a late tackle, was superb throughout and has brought a strong cutting edge to the Green Machine. He never stopped tackling and his ball carrying was admired by the away support.

There were other good performances; but the mistakes must be cut down.

Wharfedale: Altham (Cano 59), Larkin (Stockdale 49), Wade (Steel 24, Wade 66), Mason, Hedgley, Burridge, Howick, Baldwin; Skelton, Guy; Tay, Morgan (Bullough 39), Hudson, Sertima, Labasse. Replacement (not used): Myers.