On a grey, damp day Wharfedale showed excellent ball retention in the early minutes with penetrating runs by the effervescent Rob Baldwin, making a welcome return after we thought he had retired, and Matt Beazley. Over the match as a whole Sedgley Park emerged as the sharper in the backs with them using their talented wingers to cut angles and open up space.

It was a competitive game throughout in which the pre-match favourites were given a hard match by the home side. The visitors were always in front, but even in the later stages there was always a possibility …

Wharfedale get a reality check at Fylde

On a day when the elements were kind for rugby, Wharfedale travelled to Fylde to face the league leaders.

Early warning signs were there when only a last ditch tackle by Josh Prell saved a break away try.

After sustained pressure, Fylde were awarded a penalty in the 10^th minute which Gregory Smith converted to open the scoring.

Wharfedale were struggling to gain possession and after multiple phases, slick ball handling, Tristan Lynch scored under the posts, Gregory Smith adding the extras.

In a passage of play that Wharfedale did exert pressure …

Congratulations to our fabulous Foresters on a great win against an always strong Tynedale squad. We’re sure all that watched the 90 points in 80 minutes were kept very well entertained and the Foresters are top of the league at this stage of the season. Great stuff!

Some photographs here courtesey of Ro and John Burridge – thank you! Just click or tap on the picture to scroll through.

This is a popular fixture with the faithful of both the “Dale” sides and it was good to welcome so many supporters from the north east. Their friendship and sportsmanship is much valued, as is that of those who play.
The game opened with a couple of minutes of flowing play up the slope by Wharfedale but, as became a feature of the match, over ambition or carelessness caused errors. From a position near the Tynedale 22 Wharfedale contrived to lose a maul and failed to stop a surge to their own 22. A penalty took play to within 15 …

Not the greatest of matches but what it lacked in flowing rugby it made up with a very tense game with Rotherham running out winners with the last move of the game.

Tom Mann opened the scoring with a well taken long range penalty into the wind.

A break from Jack Hedley was finished off by Sam Veall to get Rotherham on the scoreboard and take the lead. Rotherham then pressed again and after 15 phases spread the ball left for Jack Taylor to squeeze over in the corner. An excellent conversion from Richard Hayes gave them a 9-point lead. …

The Greens had an enjoyable day up in the North East with both the 1^st Team and the Foresters winning comfortably and only some light rain and a gentle breeze to spoil a perfect afternoon.

In the 1^st team match Blaydon started well and took advantage of a couple of missed tackles to power down the pitch to land a try for Alex Clark after 2 minutes. John Clarkson added the conversion to give Blaydon a 7-point lead. Sadly, for the home side that was their only score.

Dale opened their account with a penalty from Tom Mann …