The fans had to wait 30 minutes for a score in this National League Two match, but it was enthralling watching from the first whistle.

The Greens, notching four tries to one, deserved victory, but they were made to fight every inch of the way - at times quite gloriously.

If anything, Barking had the edge in territory and possession.

Their powerful pack continually forced the best from the home forwards, but behind the scrum a marked difference between the teams was apparent from the outset. The lively Greens backs were a class apart for sheer inventiveness.

True, the Dalesmen had the tries shared equally between forwards and backs - unusual this season - but the opening for the 65th-minute touch-down by lock Antony Capstick was created by an inspired dash by centre Mark Bed-worth, and replacement hooker John Lawn benefited (in the second minute of injury time) from a brilliant flicked pass from off the ground by winger Andy Hodgson.

Hodgson broke the stalemate on the half-hour. His opposite wing James Hutchinson was well-placed to put Hodgson away to the right corner, having received from Bedworth.

The score heralded a period of fierce pressure from the

visitors, who were twice held by desperate defence when only inches from the line.

A try seemed inevitable seconds later but a knock-on, with the line unguarded, saved the Greens. The siege continued unabated up to the interval, but Barking had to be satisfied with just a Corrado Pilat pen-alty as a return for their work.

The visitors began the second half in similar style but a gigantic clearance to touch by Bedworth set up a concerted attack by the Dalesmen, culminating in prop Philip Peel's crashing try in the 51st minute, scrum half James Doherty's slick tap penalty giving Peel his chance.

The game continued from end to end. However, the Bark-ing attacks repeatedly foun-dered on magnificent defence, while Wharfedale, on the counter, always looked likely to add to their score.

It was no surprise when Capstick and Lawn crossed the visitors' line, though Lawn left it late to seal the win with the bonus-point try.

There was still time for Bark-ing to collect a well-warranted try from centre Pieter Hal-mand, converted by Pilat.