A fluent London Scots team applied a brake to Wharfedale’s splendid start to the season with a comprehensive, and fully deserved, 5 tries to 1 victory.

By half-time, with the home side ahead 25-9, the Greens’ prospects were already looking bleak. The last thing they wanted was a bad start to the second period – but that, in the shape of an instant yellow card for skipper Rob Baldwin, followed by a penalty try for the Scots, was what they got. At 32-9, they had just damage limitation to strive for.

In fact, Baldwin’s absence was seen through with no further home score, and the Dalesmen held their own for the remainder of the match.

Scots hooker Tom Stanfield touched down for an unconverted try in the 62nd minute, but 8 minutes later Baldwin scored wide out, after two tapped penalties took the frustrated visitors within range. Stand-off Joe Ford converted in customary style to complete the scoring.

The early exchanges were relatively even. Home full-back Frankie Neale and Ford swapped penalties, before Scots lock Alex Karonias’ converted try and a second Ford penalty saw the score to 10-6 by the end of the first quarter.

Neale added his second penalty (24 mins) to stretch the lead to 7 points, but the serious damage was done in the closing minutes of the half. Tries by centre Ian McKinroy and winger Roman Piotroski – the latter converted by Neale – sandwiched a well-taken drop-goal from Dale centre Mark Bedworth to leave the Greens with a steep hill to climb.

That hill got yet steeper within minutes of the restart.

A portfolio of photographs by Alastair Cowe can be seen at  http://gallery.mac.com/photoscowe#100732

London Scots: F Neale; R Piotroski, I McKinroy, G Trueman, D Howell; J Brown, S Amor; M Johnson, T Stansfield, A Fahey, A Karonias, D Palmer, O Brown, B Lonergan, W Lipp.

Wharfedale: L Gray; I Culligan (I Dixon 48), C Malherbe (A Hodgson 64), M Bedworth, S Horsfall; J Ford, A Black; T Horner, G Hindle (S Graham 54), M Chivers (A Mason 48), O Renton (R Rhodes 54), A Allen, L Maka’afi, D Solomi, R Baldwin.

Referee: John Merideth