HEAD coach James Doherty is walking about with a spring in his step this week.

His Wharfedale team triumphed 17-10 at Sheffield to not only notch a rare away win but also lift themselves off the bottom of National League Two North.

"It took us all of last season to get that monkey off our back of not winning away from home, but we have done it in the fifth game this season," said a delighted Doherty.

Key figures in the victory at Abbeydale were fly half Tom Barrett, the centre pairing of Joel Gill and Tom Davidson, lock Adam Howard and flanker James Tyson, but it was hats off to all of the team for their defensive display.

Sheffield battered the visitors' line in the closing stages but it did not yield, and Doherty admitted: "We showed a lot of maturity and discipline and a lot of character in making all those tackles in the last ten minutes.

"But we also won penalties to help relieve the pressure, taking line-outs and winning other penalties from those.

"However, it wasn't just about making the tackles.

"It was also a matter of being in the right position to defend and then showing energy, which is something that we had been talking about in training all week."

Doherty added: "The midfield defence of Joel Gill and Tom Davidson was excellent, while Adam Howard was the best forward on the pitch, making some big defensive hits.

"James Tyson did what he has done all season, and got the turnover ball that led to Robbie Davidson's try, while Tom Barrett had a good game with his kicking."

Next up for second-from-bottom Wharfedale, who are now within striking distance of the five clubs immediately above them, is a trip to tenth-placed Chester.

They are one of the five, and not only include Doherty's best mate Guy Ford, formerly of Otley and Bradford & Bingley, but also ex-Wharfedale winger Matt Van Sertima.

Doherty said: "Guy is a good leader for them and a strong ball carrier but it isn't all about him.

"However, having notched that away win, we travel with confidence."