Wharfedale 44, Macclesfield 19

Reserving their best for last, Wharfedale served up a seven-try end-of-season feast in outclassing a rugged and purposeful Macclesfield.

Two superb tries either side of the break gave the home side an ascendancy they never surrendered, despite a Baldwin yellow card against a gale during the second half.

Wharfedale begun with refreshing handling confidence with early scores by Andy Hodgson, after a Simon Horsfall break which was converted by Tom Barrett, and Dan Solomi – setting a club record 18 forward tries for the season – at the back of a close ruck.

A Barrett drop goal gave the home side a 15-0 lead after 20 minutes.

The Green forwards were in charge at the scrum and finding greater joy at the line-out, but they were forced to defend grimly against Macc’s powerful pick-and-drive game.

A short period of such pressure brought No 8 Matt Owens and centre Richard Hughes Macclesfield tries, one converted by Tom Eaton, to narrow the lead to 15-12.

But Barrett’s excellent long arcing classical fly-half break and pacy finish, and conversion of his own try, gave the Greens a 22-point lead at the break.

This excellent individual finish was followed minutes after the interval by a superb length-of-the-field team score, starting with a James Tincknell break from his own line with forwards and backs combining to set up a 40-yard finish by man of the match James Holland.

And although a neat try from excellent flanker Frankie Barker from a close tap penalty, converted by Ross Winney, gave the visitors some breathing space, they were powerless to prevent three further length-of-the field finishes as Wharfedale ended the season with their most compelling and balanced performance.

First, departing centre Tincknell finished some excellent combined handling and a neat final Horsfall pass.

Then Holland, a force throughout both at the breakdown and in the loose, added his second with another searing finish before winger James Druce sprinted 70 yards as Wharfedale signed off both the match and the season in exuberant style.