Wharfedale 37 Coventry 32: Wharfedale win thriller as Steel try proves important against never-say-die Coventry

The two league matches between the clubs have totalled 135 points and this time, with both kickers struggling, Dale stand-off Tom Barrett’s three from seven success rate against Coventry’s single clearance from eight was significant.

Coventry winger Jack Green soon pounced before Greens captain Rob Baldwin equalised. Hooker Dale Agar made it 10-5 before flanker Dan Solomi’s burrowed try was converted by Barrett.

Coventry went back in front when winger Tom Harris grabbed the first of a brace of overlapping tries in the left corner – the second coming on 37 minutes after Barrett had contributed a penalty for Dale.

On the stroke of half-time, centre Chris Malherbe made it 20-20 with a weaving run through the defence.

A try by scrum-half Alex Black had the Greens in front for the second time, and a converted try from flanker David Hughes only for Coventry to close to 32-27 through substitute flanker Matt Tibbatts’s bludgeoned score, converted by scrum-half Lee Audis.

Greens prop Chris Steel made it 37-27 after 66 minutes. Coventry pulverised the Wharfedale defence for the remainder of the game but their only reward came in the 77th minute when lock Sam Herrington bulldozed his way over.

Otley 24 Tynedale 38

Otley set off in fine form and it was four minutes before the visitors got their hands on the ball, gaining a penalty which set up an attacking line-out where three further infringements had the referee awarding a penalty try, fly-half Gavin Beasley adding the conversion.

Taking this in their stride, Otley continued to impress and they drew level when the forwards drove over from a 10-metre line-out, captain Jamie Sutton grounding and full-back Christian Georgiou converting from wide out.

A knock-on at the re-start had them in trouble, Tynedale making a breakthrough, full-back Sep Visser stretching to reach the line when tackled and Beasley converting.

Georgiou kicked a penalty as Otley continued to have the better of things but it was not until the 40th minute that they took advantage, with Tynedale winger Ricki Sheriffe in the sin-bin.

Sutton was again driven over for Giourgiou to convert and five minutes after the break, the full-back ran back a kick ahead to draw the defence and give winger James Twomey a chance to round his opposite number and outpace the cover, Georgiou’s conversion securing a 24-14 lead.

Unfortunately for them, Otley then lost their way, conceding too many turnovers and this coincided with the arrival of replacement Joel Hodgson, who ignited the Tynedale backs.

Right winger Peter Cole grabbed a brace of tries, Sheriffe and No 8 Andrew Murray scored one each and Beasley added a couple of conversions.