Harrogate 15 Wharfedale 19

This result was of massive importance to Wharfedale.

The deserved victory brought them level on league points with their North Yorkshire rivals, who stay in second place in National League Two on points difference.

The Greens' promotion credentials are now firmly established - and this second derby triumph in successive weeks was once again achieved without a clutch of players who might well have been thought to be critical to the cause.

Wharfedale, whose forwards showed themselves to be masters of the pick-and-drive, had charge of most of the game, giving the hosts' talented backs few chances to show their pace.

Nevertheless, the danger was always present. Harrogate scored two fine tries, and had Lee Cholewa been in the superb kicking form of his counterpart Jonathan Davies, the result might have been different.

The home side's only sustained and controlled period of pressure came in the final quarter. Behind 19-8, they made a determined effort to save the game.

Centre Jamie Barker's converted 65th-minute try took them to within a score. But then up went the famous 'Green Wall'. No way would the Dalesmen be denied their just deserts.

The opening ten minutes were played out entirely in the Harrogate half. Then, in their first attack, 'Gate were awarded a penalty for offside in front of the posts. The Greens had already written down 3-0 before Cholewa hooked the ball wide.

The Greens made the most of this early Christmas present. Davies (15th and 22nd minutes) slotted over far-from-routine penalties for a 6-0 lead.

However, Harrogate underlined their potential for points from scraps with winger James Tapster's 29th-minute try in only their third visit to the Wharfedale half.

Cholewa missed the conversion, but made partial amends with a 39th-minute penalty clearance to give his side a narrow half-time advantage.

The third quarter was dominated by Wharfedale and they were soon back in the lead.

The forwards picked and drove their way relentlessly toward the home line. Prop Philip Peel made a telling break and winger Gareth Johnston completed the move for an excellent 42nd-minute try, Davies confidently adding the extras.

If Harrogate fancied their chances of a fightback, they could have done without two crass indiscretions, presenting the on-song Davies with further penalty opportunities, which he duly converted.

The first, in the 47th minute, resulted from a late tackle on full back Andy Hodgson, and 12 minutes later home prop Paul Gabriel, with the referee at his shoulder, inexplicably aimed a petulant kick at a prostrate Wharfedale player. To Gabriel, a yellow card; to the Greens three more points, and the Greens deservedly held on.