Wharfedale went into this opening match of the new season with confidence based on a run of pre-season victories. However, while the Dalesmen were generally in control of first-half proceedings, and deserved their 10-3 interval advantage – stretched to 17-3 shortly after the re-start – they subsequently had to defend tenaciously as the Nuns fought to get back into the match.

The home side had much cause to thank Andy Hodgson for an outstanding contribution to their success. The full-back – man-of-the-match by some distance – scored a fine 32nd-minute try, having been sent on his way by centre Chris Malherbe, then made his side’s second try (42), by winger David Hall. At the other end, Hodgson was ‘last man standing’ on three occasions, making crucial tackles to deny the visitors as they surged forward.

The Greens’ new stand-off Joe Ford’s smoothly struck drop-goal posted the first points of the season on 10 minutes, with Nuneaton scrum-half Huw Thomas levelling the score (21) from a penalty. Ford converted the Hodgson try magnificently from the right touch-line, and repeated the feat when Hall’s score left him an equally difficult shot at the posts.

A second Thomas penalty (48) gave the Nuns hope, and they pounded at the home defence for lengthy periods. The Greens’ previously sound line-out play was disrupted by an injury to newly-signed lock Richard Rhodes (61), and they were obliged to cope a man short when Mark Bedworth was yellow carded (deliberate knock-on) on 66 minutes.

The Green Wall held firm, however, and with Bedworth restored to their ranks, Wharfedale saw out the final minutes in relative comfort, Ford’s penalty (79) ending any Nuneaton hopes of a return from the game.

Wharfedale: A Hodgson; D Hall (L Gray 73), C Malherbe, M Bedworth, S Horsfall (J Gill 64); J Ford, S Cottrell; T Horner, S Graham (N Clarke 68), M Chivers, O Renton, R Rhodes (C Howick 58), A Allen, D Solomi, R Brown.
Nuneaton: M Moore; E Brown, A Takarangi, T Douglas, J MacDonald; D Poulton, H Thomas (L Roy-Smith 75); B Davies, A Bray, T Pickard, D Hurst, L Griffiths (A Daish 58), N Smith (B Avent 53), I Critchley, S Eborall.
Referee: Philip Davies