IN A game where defences dominated, Wharfedale knew that chances would be at a premium when they hosted third-placed Sedgley Park last Saturday in National League Two North.

The Greens may have won their previous seven home matches but were still not safe from the threat of relegation because of their dismal away form.

Wharfedale fly half Tom Barrett knew that, as a goal-kicker, he was under pressure.

However, it certainly didn't look like that as, after they went 7-0 down in the tenth minute, he nailed the touchline conversion of Harry Bullough's try in the 57th minute to level the scores.

And, after Park had again taken the lead via a penalty, Barrett landed a 35-metre penalty in the 76th minute to make it 10-10 and slotted a drop goal two minutes later to win it.

The 25-year-old half-back said: "I would not say that there was more pressure on one kick than another.

"I just rely on my technique and hope that it pays off."

His pre-match build up was a little different, however, with Barrett saying: "I was practising my kicks while they were bailing water off the pitch alongside me!"

That operation was needed after a one-hour downpour from 11.30am, the likes of which chairman of rugby Michael Harrison has rarely seen, and even after the efforts of the ancillary groundstaff, water was still splashing up from the players' boots early in the first half.

The upshot of Barrett's eight points and Bullough's try, which was allowed after referee Robert Bourke checked with an assistant referee that the ball had been ripped out by Park in the build up, rather than it being a forward pass by Wharfedale, is that Wharfedale triumphed 13-10 and now only need one point from their last three matches to be certain of staying in the fourth tier.

Josh Burridge wore the captain's armband with Rob Baldwin serving the second game of his suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards for foul play.

No 8 Burridge, whose charge down the left-hand side of the field set up the position for Bullough's try beneath the scoreboard, also took an athletic catch in the line-out that enabled Wharfedale to boot the ball off the field to signal the final whistle.

Wharfedale were perhaps guilty of over-elaboration with some of their first-half passing, which led to knock-ons, but Burridge explained: "Put that down to poor skills as this was our 27th match this season so we should know what we are doing."

Burridge said at half-time: "We are 7-0 down but we are a different team at home and it is us who should be 7-0 up and be the ones who are getting chased, rather than doing the chasing."