Wharfedale 45 Tynedale 21

WHARFEDALE played their last warm-up game, entertaining a modest crowd as well as giving chances to new and old players.

The most promising aspect from the game was that six of Dale's tries were scored by the backs.

The forwards did their share of the work but the speed, handling and support play of the back division was highly creditable.

The first try, after four minutes, was created by the forwards taking the ball at a Tynedale line-out, Cameron Hudson and James Doherty combining to get very close before Hudson forced his way over, Jamie Guy converting.

Doherty took a quick penalty to grab the Greens' second try after strong running from the forwards forced a penalty, and the extras from Guy made the score 14-0 after ten minutes.

The third try was vintage Wharfedale.

Harry Bullough, getting a chance to start at full back and showing a few touches of brilliance combined with a safe pair of hands, started a break deep in Dale territory.

Oliver Cicognini followed on before off-loading to skipper Doherty, who went under the posts, Guy adding the additional two.

Forwards and backs again worked in harmony late in the first half.

The pack forced a turnover and the ball was given to Bullough.

Another searing, defence-shattering break was followed with support from Doherty and Huw Morgan before Maxime Labasse crossed for a scintillating score.

Tynedale did get on the board before half-time with Graeme Dunne crossing after the visitors had taken their own restart but otherwise the line held, even when Rob Baldwin took a team yellow card.

In the second half, the Dale played more expansive rugby from Dale, with many players getting their chance to shine.

The pack started to dominate the set-piece, resulting in more Dale possession, and new props Ali Wade and Ricky Cano showed great promise in the scrum and contributing around the park too.

Bullough and Morgan swept play into opposition territory before Labasse was held and the ball lost but Tynedale were pushed off their scrum ball for Simon Willet to score.

Missed tackles in midfield and out wide let Joe McKenzie in for a simple try, Rob Parker slotting the extras for 31-14.

French flair was evident in Dale's next score after Tynedale passed into touch just in Wharfedale’s half.

Before anyone noticed, Labasse had taken a quick line-out to Will Bell, who raced in unopposed from 52 metres, Lloyd Davies converting.

Dale’s seventh score again showed how strong a team is when forwards and backs combine.

Jim Mason forced a penalty at the breakdown, Hudson took a quick tap and great running from Josh Burridge, Davies and Jake Parkinson took play deep into the opposition 22 before a gorgeous inside pass was taken by Josh Prell to score, Davies again being successful from the tee.

Fly half Matt Outson crossed for Tynedale’s third try – an individual effort after Dale had surrendered territory and had Davies sin-binned for team offences, Parker converting to make it 45-21.

Club captain Doherty said: “We played at times with a very high tempo, we were ambitious and it was nice to see some of the hard work done in pre-season pay off.

"There is, however, lots to work on. We looked slightly fragile at times defensively and that is something we will need to develop going into the first league match of the season.”

Wharfedale: Bullough; Cicognini, Hudson, Morgan, Labasse; Doherty (c), Guy; Steel, Stockdale, Beesley, Willett, Howard, Hedgley, Burridge, Baldwin; Bullough. Replacements (all used): Cano, Wade, Parkinson, Mason, Allen, Oxley, Bell, J Prell, Skelton, Wellock, Davies.