Match Report: Wharfedale 38 Kendal 31

Ed Williams has been reporting for the Yorkshire Times, part of the p.ublished group of online newspapers, on his local club, Wharfedale RUFC.

The sun shone brightly on the Avenue and a good crowd were treated to entertaining rugby. There were plenty of youngsters on show for both sides all pitching for a 1st team place and it was heartening for both coaches that these players gave strong performances.

In the third minute Dale won a penalty on half-way and Robbie Davidson found touch on the 5-metre line. Good lineout ball was sent across the park and a well-timed run from Rian Hamilton led to Dale’s first try, converted by Robbie Davidson.

Kendal gradually got into the game and from a lineout on their 10-metre line a good catch and drive led to a penalty and the ball sent up to Dale’s 22. Another good catch and drive led to space being created in mid-field and Ben Dixon opened the scoring for Kendal. Aaron Steven levelled the score from the tee. The rest of the 1st period saw no further scores.

The second period also ended all square with both sides getting an unconverted try. For Wharfedale a neat grubber kick by Harry Bullough was touched down by Hamilton. Good handling by the Kendal backs was rewarded with a try for Dini Nayo.

The last period saw some entertaining rugby with 7 tries; 4 for Dale and three for the visitors. Wharfedale were quick to gain the upper hand and three phases after the Kendal kick-off the ball was kicked. Ryan Hodgson gathered the ball and was too quick for the Kendal defence and ran in under the posts from halfway. Davidson slotted the extras. The visitors hardly touched the ball before Dan Stockdale crashed over after a good catch and drive, Davidson again successful from the tee.

Kendal hit back with an unconverted try by Leo Mercer. A surging run by Max Mountain set up Owen Bullock for a score converted by Sam Gaudie. Oscar Coxson scored a converted try before Dale added another. There followed some superb rugby handling from Joe Fawcett, Omari Kaup-Samuels and Sam Gaudie which nearly led to a try. Gaudie still managed to finish the scoring for Wharfedale with a dummy and shimmy to break through. He added the extras himself. Kendal’s last converted try came from Ben Dixon to round off a marvellous feat of rugby.

Dale now put the finishing touches in training before starting their League campaign at the Avenue against Sheffield Tigers.