No stroll in the Park this time for Dale

5:17pm Sunday 20th April 2008

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Westcombe Park 24, Wharfedale 22

An entertaining match, in which each side led twice and twice the scores were tied, petered out into stalemate as the hosts took the spoils.

The final quarter saw Park dominating possession but unable to break down solid defence by the Greens.

By then, the hosts had a narrow lead - the final score having been posted by the 57th minute - and were content to hold on to what they had.

They prevailed, earning a measure of revenge for the hammering they suffered at Wharfedale a month earlier.

There was almost a late twist as Greens centre Mark Bedworth shaped for a massive penalty kick in the game's final action.

Taken from inside his own half, Bedworth's strike had the legs - but not the direction.

The Dalesmen made a flying start, winger Neil Baggett touching down under the posts after five minutes following centre Andy Hodgson's defence-splitting break.

The 7-0 lead was cancelled out after just six minutes. Park hooker John Moyce's try came from the third in a series of catch and drives by the formidable home pack, and was well converted by stand-off James Whittingham.

Centre Rory Damant's unconverted try (20 minutes) and a penalty try (35) - the latter corresponding with a yellow card for Dale flanker Alastair Allen - opened up a 19-7 advantage for Park.

The Greens not only survived Allen's absence without conceding further points - they also scored their second try (39 mins).

It was a breathtaking 70-metre sprint down the wing by Adam Whaites that led to it. The full back deserved a brilliant touchdown but was tackled on the Park line, the melee of arms and legs ending puzzlingly in a five-metre scrum for the hosts.

But Park unwisely attempted to run the ball clear. It was dropped under the posts, and Hodgson pounced to flick the ball wide to Neil Baggett for his second try.

Seven minutes into the second half, Wharfedale were ahead. Hooker Gavin Hindle's try from a drive was converted from wide out by Andy Baggett, who edged his side in front 22-19 with a penalty.

For the second time in the game, the Greens' advantage was shortlived. A rather soft' try by the impressive Moyce, who was unmarked when collecting a cross-field kick, regained the lead for Park and that was that.