National Division One

Nottingham 27 Wharfedale 35

WHARFEDALE edged to victory for the first time at Nottingham but North Yorkshire rivals Harrogate failed to do them a favour by beating Birmingham-Solihull. The result virtually guarantees promotion for the Brummies writes Ian Douglass.

Nottingham was the place Charles I raised his standard at the start of the Civil War and this was the first time Wharfedale were able to raise their own standard after an entertaining match, played in good spirit with both sides prepared to throw the ball about and the result in doubt until the end.

Wharfedale's first opportunity came when an adventurous pass was almost intercepted and then Neil Heseltine rolled the ball immaculately down the touchline to the flag. His kicking remained of high quality throughout, providing welcome respite to the pack toiling in the spring sunshine.

From this first attacking presence a driving maul continued by Russ Buckroyd put Jonathan Davies over for a try.

A flurry of scoring opportunities came Wharfedale's way in this first quarter. Nottingham were kicking poorly and their passing game promised more than it delivered, giving the Greens the chance to pounce upon their more expansive indiscretions. But Wharfedale's response was punctuated by handling errors and they failed to build up a substantial lead.

Davies burst forward with a kick and regather but that came to nought before a second try eventually arrived. Mounsey tidied up a loose ball and floated a long pass over a posse which was about to envelop him. It found Heseltine who released Andy Hodgson to score in the corner.

Just when Wharfedale were beginning to assert complete control, with the rucking game settling into its accustomed supply of possession, Nottingham scored a wonderful try from centre Jamie Morley, who sliced through to finish with, for a player sponsored by a machine tool company, precision engineering. Tom Rolt converted.

The damage was soon repaired. Buckroyd looked about to be buried but he span 360 degrees and emerged into the sunlight like a man relieved to have safely passed through a revolving door. Completing the try was easy and Mounsey added the conversion.

Nottingham were about to embark on a passage of play which belied their lowly position. Two quality tries came from Rolt and Dan Charteris, both converted by Rolt, who also landed a penalty to produce a 24-17 half time score in favour of the home side.

Wharfedale's subdued spell continued in the second half. At one stage Charlie Vyvyan collected the ball in a temporarily unpopulated part of the pitch and had to fight off a pack of hyenas until back-up arrived.

Nottingham deservedly went further ahead with another Rolt penalty but at this point that rich alchemy of Dales spirit began to fuel the Green Machine.

Indefatigable resistance prompted a bounce back which powered them to victory.

It started when Mounsey kicked a penalty for offside. Then came a second try for Davies, preceded by some terrific work from the pack as David Lister and Hedley Verity tested the resolve of the home defence. Mounsey converted with a majestic kick from the touchline to make it 27-27.

David Whitfield produced a speciality tackle which left his opponent resembling a distressed mattress and the fitness level of the Greens' pack gave them additional trundle power down the final furlong.

They created holes and conduits in the Nottingham pack, allowing the likes of Graham Smith and John Lawn to go burrowing to good effect.

Wharfedale pressure eventually gave Mounsey the penalty chance to put them into the lead.

Heseltine's touch finders were keeping Nottingham penned back and a boomer of prodigious proportions by Hodgson right into the bottom pocket ensured the pressure was maintained.

The final Wharfedale score featured another Whitfield tackle and predator Hodgson was on hand to collect his second try.

Right at the death Lister stormed down the wing, the pack drove in and bundled him over the line. Was it a score? No one knew - but the whistle blew to end an exhilarating match of contrasting styles.

The performance was a measure of Wharfedale's progress in that they not only had the spirit but also the means to adopt their approach to regain the reins in a match which could have gone away from them.

Nottingham now take on Birmingham-Solihull while Wharfedale entertain Lydney on Saturday guaranteed to finish third in the league and 27th in the national rankings - a marvellous achievement for a club with enviable qualities.

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