Wharfedale’s late rally is not enough

For the fourth game in succession – and sixth time this in all season – they ended with the meagre compensation of a losing bonus point, falling short yet again by less than a single score.

But this time there could be little complaint. The Greens finished the match strongly, forcing the home side to hang on grimly to their narrow lead. But this stout rearguard action could not disguise the fact that Blaydon overall had been the more commanding side.

Predictably enough following their previous week’s hammering, the home side began at a furious, dynamic pace which brought them two early tries as Wharfedale struggled to see anything of the ball.

Well-directed back play through the centre of the field combined with powerful forward finish near the line brought home tires for lock Chris Wearmouth and No 8 Gavin Jones.

Centre Tom Davidson, restored to the team and to kicking duties, landed a long-range penalty during the period of flat stalemate that followed but Blaydon added a third try with the final play of the half when Rob Kalbraier finished off a rolling maul in the corner.

Blaydon extended their 15-3 interval lead with an early bonus-point penalty try from successive scrum pressure at the line, converted by Andy Baggett.

Despite their significant lead, they were becoming a fading force as Wharfedale came to terms with the home side’s tiring physicality up front.

The final quarter was one of continual Greens assault, based first on increasingly dominant scrum power and followed by furious mauling pressure.

It produced two fine close-quarter tries. First, from a position set up by Alistair Allen, flanker Dan Solomi dived over among a body of players for Davidson to add a fine touchline conversion. Then, replacement prop Mark Tampin drove unstoppably over near the posts with Davidson adding a second conversion.

Despite their pulsating finish Wharfedale, denied by some excellent last-minute grim home defence, could not add the vital third try that could have earned them the elusive points. They are now third from bottom.