Late rally enough for Wharfedale to prosper

Despite shopping an early try to Christian Georgiou behind their own line, Cambridge with the better early-game management, led throughout the half to just shade things 20-18 at the break.

Tries by fly-half Elliot Beal and full-back Mile Ayrton both converted by Beal, who also added two penalties, the second a monster from 60 yards gave the visitors the edge.

But a later Green score from flanker Dominic Barrow together with a successful penalty and conversion from the returning Christian Georgiou kept Wharfedale in touch.

Cambridge’s second half woes, despite the lift a further early penalty had a familiar ring with a yellow card to Gareth McComb opening the floodgates.

Once ahead through an Alastair Allen close-quarters drive, an increasingly confident Wharfedale ran riot with three tries in six minutes. Centre David Clarke and flanker James Tyson finished sweeping overlap play and Georgiou strode over in the corner.

There was no let up for the visitors as Wharfedale’s pacey play ran a tiring defence ragged. Georgiou added his second try within a minute and Andy Hodgson added the final seventh try.

Georgiou’s final conversion gave him a 26-point hall on a spectacular return to the Green colours.

Elsewhere in National One, Loughboorugh Students thrashed Sedgley park 70-10, while Esher saw off visitors’ Coventry 27-10.

Rosslyn Park becamse the new leaders of the division after edging out Blackheath 20-15 on the road.

That result and a 35-34 defeat on the road for Ealing Trailfinders, saw the London side drop to second.

Old Albanians beat Cinderford 28-25.