Wharfedale deservedly secured a 4th successive bonus-point victory in a lively and enthusiastically fought match, cementing their hold on 5th place in the table. Cambridge played their part in the entertainment, forcing the Greens on the defensive for lengthy periods. But the visitors lacked the penetration needed to capitalise on a full share of the possession.

Neither coach will be happy about tries conceded as a direct result of first-half errors. Fumbled ball by Cambridge let in first home flanker Dan Solomi, sprinting under the posts from 30 metres out (19 mins), and later (39) centre James Tincknell, who gleefully added to his 10th-minute opener with an unstoppable dash from half-way. A minute later the horror show had moved to the other end, centre Chris Malherbe presenting a simple intercept chance to Cambridge winger Tom Wheatcroft.

But it all added to the fun, and there was much genuine enterprise from both sides to enjoy.

The opening exchanges saw chances at both ends, but it was the Dalesmen who got under way first, Tincknell starting and finishing a flowing move. Then came Solomi’s score. Luke Gray converted both tries, putting the home side 14-0 ahead.

Cambridge fought back well, a Tom Wheatcroft penalty (25) and a driven try, claimed by hooker Stewart Pearle (28), preceded the exchange of gifts that saw the half-time score to 19-13.

By the end of the third quarter Wharfedale had built a commanding  31-13 advantage. Malherbe atoned for his first-half aberration, interpassing neatly with flanker Latu Maka’afi before touching down (46). Full-back Andy Hodgson, back from injury, launched the best move of the game with his centre-field break, before slipping to Philip Woodhead, the scrum-half sending winger Simon Horsfall clear to the corner (59). Gray converted in style.

The bulk of the final quarter was played out in the home half, as Cambridge doggedly sought some reward from the game. But grim defence – twice holding up pack surges over the line – and lack of a vital cutting edge limited the visitors to a converted try by centre Alex Dodge.

Wharfedale: A Hodgson; I Dixon (D Hall 59), J Tincknell, C Malherbe, S Horsfall; L Gray, P Woodhead (D Matthews 68); A Mason (N Dickinson 16), M Chivers (G Hindle 65), C Steel, O Renton (R Brown 55), R Rhodes, L Maka’afi, D Solomi, R Baldwin.

Cambridge: A Barnard (J Schmidt 41); T Wheatcroft, T Berridge, A Dodge, W Martin; L Cole (G White 49), D Hunter; A Brown (R Reeves 49), S Pearle (B Hunter 63), B Cooper, K Rudzki, D Legge, G McComb, D Fox, D Archer (M Edison 38).

Referee: Steve Lee