SSE National League One: Loughborough Students 29, Wharfedale 15

WHARFEDALE lost Adam Howard, whose wife had gone into labour, although the powerful forward was in attendance.

The faithful, however, still had high hopes of an away win, and this seemed justified as the young visitors grew in confidence in the first half and went in at half-time with a well deserved 15-10 lead.

The students dominated the first ten minutes and went into a ten-point lead, William Edwards opening the scoring with a penalty after four minutes.

Rhys Owen grabbed the first try, which was awarded after a kick ahead, the student following up and pouncing on the ball.

When the visitors finally got the ball, they started to get the upper hand and spent most of the rest of the half in the students' backyard.

They were rewarded with two tries and a penalty.

The tries were well constructed. Firstly the pack did their work and then the ball was given to the backs.

The first try was an inside ball which put Cameron Hudson through and then a well-timed pass from Tom Davidson gave Lloyd Davies room to cross. James Guy converted the first try and slotted a penalty in between.

Dale started the second half strongly and a good follow up by Taylor Prell led to an attacking five-metre scrum but Dale spilled the ball and Loughborough cleared.

For the rest of the half, Dale struggled to contain the students, who ran in 19 unanswered points with tries from Henry Taylor, Yzannis Lozzias and Jack Poins, Edwards slotting two out of the three conversions.