Wharfedale were able to put out a strong side despite the absence of Gaudie, Hamilton, Canny, Bullough and Dickinson. Two players who have performed well at scrum half were on the field, namely Oliver Riddiough in that position and Tom Darwin on the wing. It was good to have James Coulton back in the centre alongside the increasingly impressive Oliver Cicognini. Ryan Hodgson at full back and Louis Verity at stand off both had outstanding games as we have come to expect, and Robbie Davidson plays unselfishly in whatever position; his goal and line kicking are proving to be vital components. Of course the above mentioned players can do nothing without a strong pack in front of them with a marauding back row, efficient line out jumpers and a combative front row. Wharfedale have all of these and a captain George Hedgley leading by example. I mentioned two of the back row in the Rugby Paper report but this was unfair on Jack Pinder; apologies to him. Those on the bench who come on all impress. How many teams have a pristine Prell to come on in injury time!?
Tynedale played uphill and kicked off but they immediately lost the advantage when they knocked on Dale’s lengthy return kick. A flowing move left came to an end with a knock on, but Tyne quickly lost possession too. Dale were in the ascendency already and secured a penalty which Rob Davidson kicked to the left corner. This opportunity was lost but the visitors failed to capitalise and inconclusive play followed. After twenty minutes the home side went through multiple phases after runs by Cicognini and Davidson which resulted in a forward surge and a first try for James Meehan, converted by Davidson. It was then Tyne’s turn to exert pressure started by a run by hooker Ralph Johnston, a tap penalty quickly taken, a burst by the ever alert scrum half James Telford, effective mauling and a try credited to Oscar Caudle. The extras were added by Joshua Leslie.
Tynedale kicked straight out when trying for too much length. Loose play by both sides followed but at the next scrum Tyne were penalised and Davidson kicked successfully to make the score 10-7. The next period of play was inconclusive until Ryan Hodgson took a clearance, burst through the middle and kicked left to the line. A 5 yard scrum was awarded to the Dale but then revoked, apparently for words spoken out of turn. Furthermore, Dale were marched back twice although later the referee, to his great credit, admitted to an error on his part. There was just time for one more penetrative run by Cicognini before the interval. The second half began with neither side gaining the ascendency, a lot of loose ball, excellent mauling by Tyne which was well defended by Dale, an injury replacement of Owen Vassalo by Joe Hanning (this was the third as Angus White and Alex Dryden had had to leave the field before the interval) for the visitors and finally a second try for Meehan after pressure down the left where ‘river ball’ used to be the call! Accurate touch kicking by both Hodgson and Davidson had led to this opportunity to make the score 15-7. Typically Tynedale, despite losing the next line out when Robbie Collinson stole the ball and made ground, won a penalty, exerted pressure on the left which resulted in a try for the evergreen Chris Wearmouth (what would they do without their Rob Baldwin?). Leslie converted and followed up with a penalty after too much kicking tennis. This gave the visitors a narrow lead for the first time on 73 minutes. There followed Tynedale’s best period of the match, but with such as Josh Burridge, Rhys Green and Ben Patchett coming off the bench for the Greens their task was just beyond them, especially after Davidson’s successful penalty on 77 minutes. In fact the Greens had threatened to cross the line again and this had led to the penalty award. Tynedale’s indomitable spirit was evident one more time with an impressive final surge by their pack which led to the final kick, a penalty from just too far out from the boot of Leslie. It was just short and drifted left to be touched down to end the match. Many neutral spectators would have settled for a draw but it was not to be.
The Tynedale coaches Ben Woods and Matt Shields were typically generous in their comments, as was our Chairman John Sykes, when asked to comment for the Rugby Paper. This is the spirit which is so important and even Wharfedale should ensure that they emulate. Life can be very unfair, but rugby results are not the end of the world and Wharfedale are fortunate that their combined efforts over the season to date have resulted in 14 wins, a points credit of 117, and 4th place in the table four points ahead of the mighty Fylde. We could not have asked for more. Leeds next week; remember that we won the second half in the away match!
Wharfedale : – R Hodgson, R Davidson, J Coulton, O Cicognini, T Darwin, L Verity, O Riddiough (J Prell 78), J Meehan, R Collinson (B Patchett 55), J Armstrong, E Stockton (R Green 49), G Hedgley, J Pinder, B Markey, R Baldwin (J Burridge 73).
Replacement not used: – J Hirst.
John Clark