Free-flowing Greens end away day blues

Five sparkling tries before the break and an even better secure defensive operation into the strong gusting wind after the break, ensured a resounding first success for the Greens at Volvac Park.

An opening 10 minutes of tightly contained early pressure by the home side ended with a fine counter-attacking break by visiting full-back Dan Hart, alert support from Phil Woodhead and a fine sweeping finish by fly-half Will Bell, converted by Tom Davidson.

Wharfedale added to their lead when a series of powerful pick-and-drives near the line resulted in lock Joe Quinn easing over in the corner.

Cambridge, committed as ever to an all-out running attack, were making heavy weather of plentiful possession. But Wharfedale in contrast, once they got the ball in hand, unleashed devastatingly pacey and penetrative running.

Three further tries in a wonderful four-minute spell near the end of the half put the Greens in control. Rob Baldwin’s powerful break found flanker James Holland on hand to capitalise on a defensive fumble. Simon Horsfall snaked home for the bonus-point try and Hart ran in a fifth two minutes later. Davidson’s three conversions pushed the lead to 31-3.

Cambridge clawed back a toe-hold when Ben Hunter barrelled over on half-time with Tom Wheatcroft adding the conversion to his earlier penalty.

A similar hefty heave by massive prop Tom Fidler, together with a conversion, just after the restart narrowed the score to 31-17, but there it stayed.

Last-ditch Cambridge momentum threatened but failed to crack a confident, well-organised Green defence. An all-in fracas robbed the home side of hooker Ben Hunter and the visitors of Baldwin, but Wharfedale comfortably closed out a game won by sharp running from the backs, on the back of water-tight defence and outstanding quick reaction at the breakdown where flankers Aaron Myers and Holland excelled.

A second successive win moves Wharfedale six points clear of the bottom three.