FOR the third match in succession, Wharfedale turned in a performance full of vibrant self-belief and one of combative New Year resolution in recording a workmanlike and comprehensive 23-5 demolition of a gritty, determined, but eventually out-classed, opposition.

This was a hugely important match for the credibility of the Dalesmen as potential league challengers. Faced with the only opponents to have beaten them clearly and decisively in the opening half of the season, the Greens had to reverse the early December result to stay in the promotion hunt on the heels of Sedgley Park and distance themselves from the chasing pack.

Not that pace counted for much on Saturday. On a dismal and dank Dales day and on a slithery surface, the healthy and vociferous home support cheered a joyously anachronistic chase-and-harry contest nostalgically familiar to those clutching their pension books.

The Lions fielded a side with eight changes from a month ago, lacking the influential presence of captain and fly-half Jon Boden, but stacked up front with imposing bulk, spear-headed by Samoan international No 8 Steve Smith.

But precious little good did it do them. Up front Rugby, for all their superior size and weight, were simply blown away by a Dales pack quicker to ball, faster to the gain line and harder into contact, supported superbly behind by harrying tackling from David Pears, Sam Cottrell, Andy Baggett and company which bundled back their opposition.

The Greens' back row were again collectively outstanding and with David Lister and the ever-improving Tony Capstick marvellously secure at the lineout in foully difficult conditions and Philip Peel particularly rampant in broken play support, the home pack held sway throughout the contest.

But one man strode the match like a colossus. Hedley Verity, though lacking the pace of his pomp, drove forward with all the abrasive certainty of old. Hard yards with the ball in hand were made to look easy and the closing down of predatory prey on the deep retreat was foraging at its very best.

Should Wharfedale indeed be promoted, if any player deserves a swan song basking in the sun of National One, it is this terrific servant of the club.

And Saturday's win, coupled with the parochially welcome Harrogate defeat at Nottingham, restores Wharfedale to the second place spot, two points ahead of the chasing pack.

Even a sober estimate suggests that a consistent run of similar hard-headed performances might well just about keep them there.

Little separates a clutch of sides of equal playing capacity and consistency is the vital key to snatching the spoils. And at the moment the Dalesmen are displaying just this quality and whisper it quietly, but The Avenue is beginning again to resemble fortress Wharfedale.

But for all Wharfedale's dominant superiority, they had to wait until the last six minutes to clinch the match. Though in the lead narrowly throughout and threatening regularly to pull away, with the last rites approaching they had still failed to put clear water between themselves and their visitors.

And Rugby, though effectively shackled as an attacking force, still only required a single stray converted try to emerge unlikely and even improbable winners.

A first-half upwind performance of unremitting pressure had produced only a single score when a charge down by the ever alert Cottrell rebounded square infield for Jonathan Davies to score near the posts for Pears to convert.

But converting even consistent pressure into points proved difficult on the boggy surface as the Lions in deep retreat showed repeated skill and courage in going to ground in last-ditch defence.

Then, in virtually their first meaningful attack on the stroke of half-time, Rugby secured a penalty at the corner and drove over from the lineout for a well co-ordinated score by prop Matt Davies.

After the interval it was business as before, but scores refused to come despite some mighty close calls. An equally well-ordered lineout drive over the line was recalled and a fine intuitive diagonal kick by Gareth Johnston saw his replacement winger Pedram Salashourie narrowly denied.

Then, when repeated short attacks within the 22 had failed and the Lions had seemingly raised the siege and even established a belated toehold of attack, Wharfedale completed the kill from longer range.

Verity, in pursuit of a long high kick from Pears, nailed his man, hurled himself forward to reclaim the loose ball and gained the vital penalty opportunity for Davies to send the home side two scores clear.

With the job done, there was just time for Hodgson to finish in the corner and a triumphant signing off by the pack with an unstoppable drive for the line which propelled Paul Evans over.

Wharfedale: A Hodgson; C Malherbe (P Salashouri 40), J Davies, A Baggett, G Johnston; D Pears, S Cottrell; P Peel (F Lovatt), J Ogden, C Ingram (N Dickinson 52), D Lister, A Capstick, T Jackson (P Evans 69), H Verity, B Wade.

Rugby Lions: L Warner; G Collins, P Roberts, T O'Shea, S Brown; S Stoop, S Booth; R Booth, J Brittin, M Davies, D Campton, T Stannard, L Crofts, A Nash, S Smith.

Referee: Alan Hughes (RFU)