Sedgley Park 24 Wharfedale 29: Flair earns Greens double

Having held on to fifth place in the table, the Greens can cement their position with a home victory over sixth-placed Cambridge on Friday afternoon.

Wharfedale completed a bonus-point double over Sedgley Park, but had to scrap for the victory against a team that had a sound basic game and a more than fair share of possession.

It was the Greens that offered flair in attack, and their four tries to Park's two is a better reflection of the game than the close final scoreline.

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The Dalesmen's forwards showed a marked improvement in the set pieces and young scrum-half Philip Woodhead had a splendid match in his first league start.

The visitors saw little of the ball in the opening minutes but Park centre Matt Riley's penalty put the first points on the board.

An opportunist try in the 10th minute got the Greens underway, Woodhead pouncing after an attempted clearance was charged down. Mark Bedworth converted and the lead was extended to 12-3, hooker Gavin Hindle taking the honour after a pack drive from a lineout.

Riley slotted a brace of penalties before referee David Walker binned first Alastair Allen and then Rob Baldwin and Park centre Chris Hall.

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The home side capitalised, scrum-half Chris Wilkinson crossing for a converted try.

Wharfedale regained the lead via a converted try by Bedworth before Riley landed his fourth penalty. Bedworth sent centre Chris Malherbe clear for a converted try and a penalty opened a two-score margin, but Park replacement Tom Blackwell's late try set up a nervous finale.

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