Greens are ready for Redruth test (From Craven Herald)

Greens are ready for Redruth test

10:49am Thursday 2nd September 2010 in

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Wharfedale 42 Kendal 6

Wharfedale wrapped up their preparations for the new National League One campaign when they retained the Peter Kremer Memorial Trophy.

But now the serious action starts for new coach Tom McGee and his troops as they head to Redruth for Saturday’s first game.

McGee will have been encouraged by his team’s pre-season results but he will be aware that they count for nothing once league points are at stake.

Although the Greens ultimately beat Kendal by five tries to nil, it took until the second half for them to stamp their authority on their gutsy North 2 opponents.

Kendal gave almost as good as they got in the first period, with the Greens glad to turn round just 10-6 ahead.

The Dalesmen found points hard to come by in the first 20 minutes against a determined defence, and had only a 12th-minute penalty from fly-half Tom Barrett, making his home debut, to show for their efforts.

The pressure had to tell, and after a strong surge flanker Dan Solomi burrowed over for a try which Barrett converted.

Having played second fiddle up to that point, the visitors then demonstrated that they were not to be taken lightly.

With disciplined use of possession they tested the Dalesmen’s defence, forcing two penalties (33 and 38 minutes), both converted by centre Mark Ireland.

After the break, Wharfedale moved up a gear. Three minutes into the half Barrett kicked a splendid drop-goal from 35 metres, and two minutes later centre Tom Davidson did well to reach the left corner after fellow centre Andy Hodgson had created the chance. Barrett converted from the touchline to make it 20-6 to Wharfedale.

Full back Adam Whaites touched down after a concerted attack had over-stretched the Kendal defence as the Greens stretched their lead.

The Greens absorbed a spell of enthusiastic pressure by Kendal, before play settled again in the Kendal 22.

Scrum-half Michael Woodhead and flanker David Hughes – another making his home debut – combined to give Richard Brown an opening, and the powerful No 8 forced his way over the line after 62 minutes.

Barrett added the conversion, and three minutes later was sending a finely weighted kick to the wing for Simon Horsfall to collect. The winger inter-passed with Hodgson before going over for a fine try in the left corner.

Barrett again converted, and crowned an impressive display with his second drop-goal in the final minute of the match.

Kendal finished the game in resolute search for what would have been a deserved consolation try, but the Greens followed up the previous week’s performance by again keeping their line intact.

Coach Tom McGee was well pleased with another overall good performance from his side.

The teams contesting the three pre-season victories had seen much change in personnel from game to game, and the coach emphasised that his aim had been to give as many players as possible the chance to stake their claims.

He had run his rule over no less than 37 candidates and anticipated some difficult choices ahead of selection for the opening league match.

Wharfedale: A Whaites; A Lovatt, A Hodgson, T Davidson, S Horsfall; T Barrett, S Cottrell; C Steel, S Graham, B Hooper, Or Renton, R Rhodes, D Hughes, D Solomi, R Brown. Replacements (all used): I Larkin, M Chivers, B Fear, R Davies, C Howick, S Crabtree, M Woodhead.