Wharfedale 33 Stourbfidge 23 Centre Hodgson clinches victory after Dalesmen produce late rally

In a scrappy, generally shapeless game, short on scoring chances, if not on spirited endeavour, Wharfedale just about deserved to finish on top.

But it took a last-action converted try, scored while Stourbridge's substitute scrum-half, Tom Richardson, was in the sin-bin to finally consign the visitors to defeat.

The match began with a flurry of penalties. Wharfedale fly-half Tom Davidson and Stour winger Ali Bressington each failed from the half-way line and Bressington failed again before putting his side ahead on 11 minutes only for Davidson to equalise five minutes later.

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The pair exchanged penalties once more beforeStour No 8 Matt Thomas was on the end of a slick move to claim a touch-down, converted by Bressington.

As if to maintain the symmetry of proceedings, Thomas's opposite number, Rob Baldwin, took advantage of a fortunate bounce after Davidson's drop goal attempt had fallen short to grab the try that, with the conversion, levelled the score at 13-all at the interval.

The Greens took the lead with winger Simon Horsfall's converted try (45 mins), centre Andy Hodgson and Baldwin having created the opening.

With home lock Oliver Renton on a yellow card, the visitors stepped up the pressure, Bressington narrowing the gap with a penalty.

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Greens full-back Adam Whaites was hauled down inches short of the line but the visitors returned to the attack, centre Charles Hayter bursting through for a converted try.

The Dalesmen rallied and two penalties from Davidson, the second linked to Richardson's departure, had them in front before Davidson and centre Chris Malherbe combined to send Hodgson clear to the posts.

Otley scored four tries to come away with a bonus point but their brittle defence was exposed by rampant league leaders Blackheath, who crossed the line nine times to register a relatively comfortable 55-26 victory.

They swept into an early lead when Sean Moan took advantage of a dummy from co-centre Sam Windsor who immediately scored from an interception. Full-back Ben Ransom was then allowed to run a 70 metres to make the line and then secured a kick ahead to put winger James Stephenson over.

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Otley gathered their wits and winger Curtis Wilson raced over and lock Joe Quinn forced his way over following good approach work, fly-half Jervis Manupenu converting both.

A turn-over cost them a second try for Stephenson, who, two minutes after the break, was able to go over and complete his hat-trick.

Otley replacement James Twomey then out-stripped the defence to make the corner.

Blackheath struck in the final minutes with tries from left winger Tyson Lewis and a second from Ransom.

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There was reward for the visitors when centre Joe Walsh went over to secure the bonus point but Stephenson just beat the final whistle to force his way over for his fourth try.

Windsor kicked five conversions, with Manupenu able to claim one more after the break.

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