Barrett is unable to spare the Dalesmen in narrow loss

Wharfedale had the better territory and possession and led 6-3 with Tom Barrett kicking two penalties and Alex Davis successful with his one attempt.

Direct running and poor decision-making allowed Loughborough to run in two tries. The first was scored by George Eastwell. The second was set up by Loughborough full-back Jack Pons, who ran a poor clearance straight back at Wharfedale and set up Chris Surman. Davis kicked both conversions to give Loughborough a 17-6 lead.

Wharfedale came back strongly and a drive led to Edward Taylor being yellow carded and Barrett reduced the lead to eight points.

Dale pressed hard again at the start of the second half and were rewarded with another penalty goal for Barrett. The Dalesmen were again pressing to cross the line and the pressure led to Loughborough conceding another penalty and Jacob Albon being sent to the sin bin. Wharfedale soon took advantage and Barrett scored Wharfedale’s lone try which he also converted.

Wharfedale then took a 20-17 lead through another Barrett penalty.

Rhys Owen scored a well-taken try with Cole in the bin. A fourth try for the Students came from Akinbiyio Alo. Barrett landed two more penalties to leave Dale just short at 29-26.

Hull Ionians crashed to a 31-7 defeat at Cinderford. After Cinderford had got off the mark with a converted try from Jack Adams, Ionians’ prop Toby Williams hit back with a 12th-minute try, stand-off Chris Reakes converting.

A penalty from Mark Davies edged the home side ahead on 28 minutes and after the break the hosts extended their lead with winger Chris Hawkins racing in and scrum-half Reece Broughton adding a conversion to put Cinderford 17-7 ahead.

Centre Sam Hanks touched down on 73 minutes, Broughton converting, and was again on target following a 79th-minute try from winger Nevarro Codlin.

Doncaster Knights maintained their 100 per cent start to life in National One with a 38-17 win over Worthing at Castle Park.

Bruno Bravo grabbed the first try despite a sloppy opening. Bevon Armitage grabbed the second before Tyson Lewis twice sped to the line to seal the bonus point before the break.

Local youngster Jack Bergmanus scored the fifth try, which was reward for his persistence, while Dougie Flockhart converted all five and added a penalty. At 38-3, Doncaster’s ruthless streak abated and Worthing scored two converted tries to leave South Yorkshire with some pride.