Defeat but Dalesmen restore pride

After a record defeat at leaders Ealing the previous week, Wharfedale restored confidence and pride in a 17-13 home defeat to Coventry.

They fell short of halting the visitors’ surge into promotion contention – this being consecutive win number 15 – in an absorbing match. It must be doubtful whether Coventry have had to fight harder for victory in that impressive sequence.

Early in the second half, the Dalesmen led 13-7 but by the end of the third quarter Coventry had a four-point lead which they protected to the end.

Coventry led 7-0 but James Guy’s penalty and his conversion of prop Jake Armstrong’s charge-down try set the score at 10-7 at the interval.

Guy added a second penalty soon after the restart but Coventry then capitalised on an extended period of pressure to force a winning lead.