Wharfedale travelled to Cross Green Otley on the back of three good wins but with a very much changed side. History tells us that each side has won 12 times and a large crowd waited with great anticipation of the game to come.
From the kick off Otley gained possession, retained the ball through good handling, and scored a try in the left hand corner through Sam Waddington, a difficult conversion was made by Joe Rowntree – score 7-0
After the early set back, Wharfedale got into the game and a good break by Joe Fawcett resulted in the forwards camped on the Otley line resulting in a penalty which Ryan Hodgson converted – score 7-3
From the kick off Wharfedale gained possession and made good progress into the Otley half only to have a pass intercepted and Callum Irvine ran the ball under the posts for try which Joe Rowntree converted – score 14-3
Wharfedale roared back with repeated attacks and penalties at the Otley line and were rewarded with a try by Sam Dickinson, converted by Ryan Hodgson – score 14-10
In the 25th minute Wharfedale were caught on the counter attack by Otley who hand men on the overlap and Edward Crossland crossed the line for a try which was converted by Joe Rowntree – score 21-10
Following some good possession Wharfedale lost the ball and a high tackle resulted in a penalty out wide on the left which was converted by Joe Rowntree – score 24-10
What can only be described as Wharfdales best passage of play in the match when they won four scrum penalties, had two Otley players yellow carded and Josh Pell squeezed under the posts for a try which Ryan Hodgson converted to make the score at half time 24-17
Almost immediately from the kick off Otley with 13 men regained the ball and after a good passage of play scored a try out on the right through Jacob Holmes which was converted by Calum Irvine – score 31-17.
Back to 15 men, Otley dominated possession and scored a try through Samuel Taylor, duly converted by Callum Irvine score 38-17.
Back came Wharfedale with a series of pick and goes for Sam Dickinson to score his second try under the posts which Ryan Hodgson converted – score 38-24.
Wharfedale introduced some fresh legs from the bench and were immediately rewarded when the ball squirted out of a scrum in the Otley red zone and Oliver Riddiough darted over the line for his team’s fourth try, converted by Ryan Hodgson – score 38-31
In the final 10 minutes of the game Otley were awarded two penalties which Calum Irvine converted to make the final score 44-31.
Speaking after match head coach Simon Verbickas was full of praise for his inexperienced team. He said “With more changes in the squad for the third game in a row and players stepping again into unfamiliar positions, we played with heart, determination and a huge sense of pride.
Although we did not secure the victory, to come away from Otley with a four-try bonus point speaks volumes about the character and resilience of the squad.”
Wharfedale: – 15. R Hodgson, 14. J Prell, 13. H Bullough, 12. T Darwin, 11. A Mounsey, 10. O Kaup-Samuels, 9. O Riddiough (S Cox 68), 1. S Dickinson, 2. D Stockdale (R Collinson 61), 3. J Armstrong (J Meehan 58), 4. S Borrill, 5. G Hedgley, 6. J Pinder (A Weston 61), 7. J Fawcett (B Markey 74), 8. B Markey (T Beresford 53).