Tynedale 20, Wharfedale 17

ON ONE of Wharfedale’s least happy SSE National League One hunting grounds came the usual result, but without the benefit of a soft interception try from the halfway line on 15 minutes, it would have been a different match and probably a different result.

In a match of few scoring opportunities and played mainly in the middle of the pitch, it was the home side who posed more threats, Wharfedale failing to cash in enough on a two-man advantage when Tynedale's forwards were shown two yellow cards in quick succession.

The match had got off to a difficult start, with Wharfedale conceding six penalties and a free-kick before being awarded their first penalty, by which time Tynedale had logged three points.

Then came Tynedale’s first yellow card, a very soft dismissal for what the referee saw as a tip-tackle, and Wharfedale immediately went for the jugular, pressure on the home line bringing another yellow card and then the inevitable penalty try.

With Wharfedale chasing the game, gaps appeared but only once were Tynedale able to make them count, when scrum half Matty Outson finished a fine move to widen the gap to 17-7.

In the face of resolute and courageous defence, Wharfedale were able to exert few periods of sustained pressure, apart from the final period when they managed to force Chris Howick over the line and then went through multiple phases to put Oliver Cicognini in at the corner.

In between, however, a long-distance penalty from home fly-half, 18-year-old Brett Connon, had stretched Tynedale’s advantage by just enough to take the spoils.

This was always going to be a tight match between two unbeaten sides, a match which the Wharfedale management knew would be a test of their side’s self-control in the face of trying circumstances.

That they succeeded is to the players' credit, although coach Jon Feeley is aware that better decision-making will be required in the tests to come.