Wharfedale 50 Blackheath 17: Greens cut loose in style

Still smarting from the drubbing by Tynedale, Wharfedale worked off their frustrations on Blackheath, posting eight tries in an expansive and exciting performance.

The visitors had their fair share of possession, but were unimaginative in its use, concentrating their attacks exclusively in forward power-play. This yielded just two pushover tries from a disproportionate expenditure of energy.

Only late in the game, with the outcome determined, did they open up – substitute back Martin Olima's finish of an incisive move at last offering something to enthuse over.

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Flanker David Allen had the opening score for Blackheath and their strategy would have brought three further tries in the opening half had it not been for tremendous defence from the Greens.

In attack, Wharfedale had flair and speed and by half-time a four-try bonus was already in the bag, courtesy of full-back Luke Gray, who latched on to a precision kick to the left wing by fly-half Mark Bedworth; flanker Latu Maka'afi, sent on his way by Gray's astute pass; Chris Malherbe, the scoring pass from fellow centre James Tincknell, and flanker Dan Solomi, who was on the end of a slick passing move.

With captain Rob Baldwin yellow-carded just before half-time, Blackheath launched an onslaught, No 8 James Catt claiming their second mauled try.

Thereafter, the Dalesmen turned the screw with some sparkling moves which brought tries for Bedworth, Tincknell, winger Simon Horsfall and finally Malherbe.

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