This match looked like the usual tale of woe for Wharfedale on a trip to Humberside. The opening 30 minutes saw Dale playing some pretty poor rugby and the home side holding a 16-point lead. The play was summed up by one piece of possession in Hull’s half. The ball was sent down the line with every pass slightly behind the receiver and then the final pass going into touch!

Hull took full advantage of Dale’s malaise and racked up two penalties and two tries. Reece Dean was accurate from the tee for the two penalties but could not convert the two tries. Both tries came from Dean kicks which were both retaken by Hull and led to the tries. Tom Minns and Tom Lineham both crossed for Hull. After the half hour the visitors started to get a grip and build some more purposeful phases.

Wharfedale finished the first half with a well taken try to get on the scoreboard. The pressure was beginning to build on the home side and when they lost Tipiloma Kivalu who was yellow carded for slapping George Hedgley their resolve was broken. Dale won the resulting lineout just outside Hull’s 22 and put 9 forceful phases together before the ball was passed to Bradley Viner who scampered over in the corner for an unconverted try.

The second half was a totally different story. Dale were soon on the attack and a sortie by Joe Fawcett was followed up by Jake Armstrong and then Ollie Riddiough darted over. Archie Haddon added the extras.

Hull were restored to 15 men but this did nothing to stop Wharfedale building again. Dale were soon camped in the home side’s 22 and an efficient catch and drive led to a converted score for Rowan Tweedale. The conversion nudged Dale into the lead. More dominant play by Dale was rewarded with a penalty from Haddon.

The next try was scored by skipper and Man of the Match, George Hedgley. Hedgley had come close to scoring after his interception led to a lung bursting run from halfway which finished close to the line. Haddon’s conversion gave Dale a 13-point lead.

Forwards and backs were now working well together and breaks by Harry Bullough and Bradley Viner took play deep in to Hull territory. Another proficient catch and drive led to an unconverted try for Sam Dickinson. Bullough then showed his pace when he intercepted the ball on halfway and ran in for a converted try.

Hull had one moment in the second half when they were awarded a penalty just after the restart and they had an attacking lineout. They went through 8 phases before creating space for Lineham to score his second unconverted try. Haddon finished the scoring with another successful penalty.

This was an outstanding performance by the Green Machine. The effort was, perhaps, enhanced by the poor start, and some good rugby by Hull in the thirty minutes. Dale responded, after being stung, with 41 unanswered points. All the squad had a tremendous afternoon and could travel back from the Far East having done a magnificent job. Now we can say that even after the poor start. The younger players also made proficient contributions to Dale’s progress.

Hull showed in the first period that they could play rugby and this was the first match that Wharfedale did rule the roost at scrum time. The Hull eight proved to be very difficult to move. After a shaky start Dale’s lineout work was adept and provided a good platform for attacking rugby. Chanterlands Avenue has been a miserable place for Dale in recent years but this was a very rewarding and enjoyable visit and the 5 points moves Dale in to the top half of the table.

Wharfedale Haddon; Cherry, Viner, Bullough, Weston; W. Bell (M. Bell 73), Riddiough (Kaup-Samuels 64); Dickinson (Meehan 74), Holden (Collinson 60), Armstrong, Borrill, Hedgley (c), Tweedale (Middleton-Smith 76), Wills, Fawcett