Greens’ fighting display deserved much more (From Craven Herald)

Greens’ fighting display deserved much more

11:00am Thursday 16th April 2009

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Wharfedale 10 Tynedale 14

Last time out, Wharfedale counted themselves fortunate to glean anything (a losing bonus) from a match in which they were outplayed by fellow relegation candidates Westcombe Park.

Against high-flying Tynedale, the Greens had the identical reward – but their fighting performance unquestionably deserved more.

The Greens were theoretically weakened by the absence of several key players. Skipper James Doherty missed his first game in four years after leaving the field with a shoulder injury in the previous game.

But it was the non-availability of regular kicker Mark Bedworth that was crucial to the result.

Whereas visiting stand-off Gavin Beasley smoothly converted late first-half tries by centre Jack Harrison (37 mins) and prop Rupert Harden (40), Wharfedale’s Luke Gray and Tom Davidson totalled six missed kicks at goal between them.

Credit must go to Tynedale’s resolute defence, which provided the base for grabbing the tries that came from the only genuine scoring opportunities they had in the entire game.

Tyne spent all but the final minutes of the first period soaking up constant pressure, but the home side’s almost total dominance yielded them only penalty strikes at goal.

Stand-off Gray saw two shots fade wide, while Davidson (outside centre in Malherbe’s absence) was short with an optimistic 48-yard effort.

After Harrison’s opener – a slick tap-penalty setting up his clinical finish – Greens’ centre Andy Hodgson was within an ace of immediate riposte, but he just failed to pick up cleanly in the chase for his own charge-down. Back at the other end, another charge-down resulted in Harden’s try.

The pattern of the game hardly altered after the break. Another penalty chance went begging, but the Dalesmen broke through at last with bludgeoned tries from lock Oliver Renton (71 mins), and No 8 Rob Baldwin three minutes later. Both conversion attempts failed.

The losing bonus point was scant reward for a spirited display, and leaves the Greens still needing a win for safety with just two matches remaining. It could well go to the final game.

Wharfedale: A Whaites; S Moon, T Davidson, A Hodgson, D Hall; L Gray, J Gill; B Fear (A Mason 66), S Freer, C Steel, O Renton, A Capstick, A Allen, D Solomi, R Baldwin.

Tynedale: J Smales (J Hoyle 73); P Cole, J Harrison, R White (F Shaw 73), C Ingall; G Beasley, R Samson; J Williams (P Southern 46), J Graham (M Fieldhouse 71), R Harden, E Gesinde, K Showler (G Dunn 64), G Macghilchrist, G Beasley, G Irvin.

Referee: Mark Wilson

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