Harrogate 19 Wharfedale 44

Wharfedale put a sluggish start to the National League Two campaign behind them with a commanding performance at Harrogate.

It was their biggest win at Claro Road, and in truth the margin could have been even more convincing such was the Greens' dominance - particularly in the second half.

It must be said that at least two of the Dalesmen's six tries were effected with assists' from some suspect Harrogate tackling, but there were many occasions when further scores were only prevented by dogged defence.

Three times in a frantic final quarter, Greens surges were held up over the Harrogate line.

On the debit side, coach John Lawn will surely have observations to deliver on first-half errors that Harrogate capitalised on for two of their tries. Overall, however, he will have been well pleased with his team's enthusiastic reaction to his demand that they perform'.

While the flair and speed of the backs, accounting for five of the six tries, sent pulses racing, the victory was built on the virtually total control of the pack.

The Dalesmen's tries came from winger Simon Horsfall (2), full back Adam Whaites (2), No 8 Rob Baldwin and scrum half James Doherty.