A magnificent victory last Saturday meant that Wharfedale secured 4th place in the National League Division 2 to end a strong campaign on a high.

The host ran in tries as they cruised to a 59-31 victory over Lymm.

An early 80-metre break by Louis Verity went unrewarded, but Dale were soon back on the attack with some strong running from the forwards.

Sam Dickinson burst through from 35 metres out and opened the scoring for the hosts, before Lymm put together a few phases of their own.

They were rewarded with a penalty by Jack Reynolds, and then a converted try from Alfie Simpson which took the visitors into the lead.

A break down the right wing by Josh Prell was finished off by Madison Hunting with Davidson successful from the touchline to nudge Dale ahead. There were some well organised tries and the next one was one of the highlights.

Jake Armstrong turned the ball in Dale’s half. Davidson led the break out which was carried on by James Coulton, then Sam Gaudie, and finished off by Louis Verity, as Davidson added the extras.

The bonus point was secured when the hosts were awarded a penalty try. An effective catch and drive was pulled down by Lymm prop, Matthew Hand, who was shown a yellow card. 14-man Lymm got one back on the stroke of half-time; James Kimber touched down with Reynolds knocking over the conversion. The visitors had closed the gap but Dale still led 28-17 at the break.

Star man Davidson created a try for James Coulton and Davidson added the two points before scoring Dale’s next try and the conversion.

Coulton’s try was an old-fashioned stand-off move, with Davidson using a combination of swerve and speed to leave the defence looking on. Lymm put some good handling in and this resulted in a try for Oliver Higginson, again with Reynolds doing the business from the tee.

Davidson and Coulton were combining well with Coulton returning the compliment and giving Davidson the scoring pass.

Armstrong got Dale`s next effort after good work by the forwards, and Davidson added Dale’s eighth before Prell finished the scoring.

The former scored after a bit of trickery from Louis Verity put him in for a run at the line with only the Lymm scrum-half to beat. Davidson left him flat footed and ran in to score. He was only able to convert one of the three but had an impressive 22 points in the game. I

In between Kimber touched down for his second score.

Lymm, apart from a brief period when they were in front, were always second best in an entertaining match.

Wharfedale’s prop and forwards coach, Jake Armstrong, commented after the game: “I was impressed with our mentality going into the match; it would have been easy to play loose. The message during the week was to do simple things and do them effectively before cutting loose.

"The season has generally gone very well and the team would like to thank everyone involved in the club. I especially want to thank our faithful supporters who turn out in all weather and travel to all parts of the north.

"I also want to thank all the players in the squad and all the people who work behind the scenes at Wharfedale."