It’s a Happy, Haddon Christmas
Wharfedale were handed a late victory with a Haddon penalty on the stroke of full time. This was to steal a victory from Billingham who had dominated most of the game. Billingham were in control for 65 minutes until Dale started to play, scoring two tries and the final pickpocketing penalty.
Dan Stockdale had opened the scoring for Dale with a well taken catch and drive from a lineout 7-metres out. Haddon slotted the extras.
Dale’s discipline then went through a sticky period and a number of penalties were given away. Billingham grew into the game and played confident rugby and were spending time in Dale’s 22. Superb defence from Dale saw them drive back the visitors from close to their line to the 22 only to give away another penalty. After a successful lineout, Billingham went through 6 phases before creating space on the right resulting in an unconverted try for Adam Brown.
Tom Beresford had a champagne moment when going back deep into his 22 to collect a Billingham kick he put in a magnificent clearance. Haddon added a penalty before Billingham took the lead with a superb offload that saw Luke Wilson have an easy run to the line. He added the conversion for the visitors to lead at halftime. There was another champagne moment after the restart when Billingham’s clearance looked to be heading for a 50 – 22. Will Bell kept the ball in play and then Haddon launched his own bomb which was a 50-22. Dale then dominated play and Billingham ended the half down to 14 men after a succession of penalties. This was after the Billingham scrum half had knocked on and given Dale good field position. Dale could not capitalise and went in trailing by 2 points.
More strong play from the visitors saw them add two more tries; one from Anthony Jackson and the second from Ben Hyndman. Wilson converted the second to establish a 14-point lead. Jimmy Meehan was sent to the naughty step after repeated penalties from Dale. When Dale were restored to 15 men they started playing some good effective rugby.
Dale hit back with tries from Tom Beresford and Jack Cherry. Beresford’s try came from a very efficient catch and drive. Cherry was sent away down the middle with an excellent pass from Oli Cicognini. Haddon just missed the 1st conversion but took a drop goal for the second one to save time.
It still looked like Billingham were going to hang on for the win until the boot of Haddon broke Billingham hearts with an excellent penalty. The penalty was for a simple offside and showed a lack of composure from the Billingham players. Haddon’s composure was not suspect as the crowd hushed as he prepared to take the shot.
The Billingham players accepted the defeat in good grace; all supporters congratulated them on how they had played and acknowledged that they deserved to win. Dale know how it feels to have a game stolen from them at the death.
This was not a vintage display by the men in Green; it was however wholehearted and showed commitment to the cause. There is room for improvement and the faithful hope that, with a long break over Christmas, the troops will return refreshed and strengthened when Wharfedale travel to The Darlington Echo Arena in January.
Wharfedale: – Haddon; Kay (Macnab 51), Cherry, Cicognini, Bullock; Bell, Riddiough; Dickinson, Stockdale (Collinson 61), Ward (Meehan 51), Heys, Kitching (Wills 51), Armstrong, Hedgley (c), Beresford. Replacement not: – used Brewster