There are no easy games in this division, and to win, a team has to be effective in all departments of the game. Sadly, Dale came up short away at Billingham and the home side grabbed a much needed 4 points. They still have some work to do to avoid relegation but a victory certainly has helped them.
Billingham took the kick-off and a spirited run from Nathan Myers took play into Dale territory. Dale started playing some fluent, accurate rugby. Two phases after a successful line-out on half-way Robbie Davidson made a good line-break and then fed Ryan Hodgson who touched down for an unconverted try. The second try was similar. A line-out was secured on half-way and two phases later a break by Josh Burridge was followed up and Louis Verity scored.
Dale continued to press the home defence but the line-out badly misfired. Every time Dale had an attacking line-out the ball was lost and to Billingham’s credit they actually ended the half on the attack and came close to scoring twice forcing Dale to drop-out under their posts both times. On the stroke of half-time more indiscipline by the visitors led to a successful long range shot at goal by Ryan Foreman which meant that Dale only led by 7 points at half-time. That penalty seemed to be insignificant at the time but was to prove the vital score.
Foreman added a second penalty at the start of the second half before Dale again played good rugby. They regathered the restart and built through the forwards. Louis Verity then broke clear and gave the scoring pass to Rhys Green who touched down under the posts. Davidson converted.
Back came Billingham and Nathan Myers crashed over on 58 minutes for a converted try. Then disaster for Dale. 1st Ben Markey was yellow carded on 68 minutes and then Wharfedale lost their last fit prop and had to go down to 13 men! Billingham camped on Dale’s line and the extra numbers soon told and space was created for Joseph Ross to score a converted try.
Wharfedale then finished on the attack but Billingham resisted and Dale could not cross the line. Hats off to Billingham who managed this passage of play cleverly and hold on to win.
I finish with a comment after the game by one of the Wharfedale staff – “Just not good enough”. All involved at Wharfedale would hope that Dale can finish off the season with two rousing home wins which would secure 4th place in National Division 2 North.
Wharfedale: – Hodgson (Prell 66); Davidson, Coulton, Cicognini, Gaudie; Verity, Riddiough (Cox 66); Dickinson, Patchett (Collinson 18, Hunting 69), Armstrong, Green, Burridge, Pinder, Markey, Beresford Replacement not used: – Borrill