Greens just make it four in a row

Rosslyn Park 20

Wharfedale secured - albeit only just - a fourth consecutive league victory that lifted them to eighth place in National League two.

The result of a full-blooded match was in doubt to the final whistle, such was the uncertainty engendered by errors on both sides.

Occasional eccentricity on the part of referee Llyr

Apgeraint-Roberts also contributed to the excitement.

The Greens, having conceded a first-minute penalty to the reliable boot of Park fly half Sam Howard - who went on to collect all his side's points - dominated the rest of the opening quarter.

Skipper Andy Baggett took two defenders with him as he crashed over the line in the fifth minute after winger Simon Horsfall had made a telling break.

In the tenth minute, the forwards took such control of a five-metre line-out and the ensuing maul that Rob Baldwin's touchdown had a routine air about it. Jonathan Davies converted Baldwin's try, and added a 20th-minute penalty to make it 15-3.

From that point on, however, solid home composure became progressively shaky. A Howard try (28 minutes) and two further penalties had reduced the visitors' deficit to four points by the break, and his fourth success in the 44th minute virtually erased it.

Three penalties finally yielded a Wharfedale try for Ben Wade in the 53rd minute. Davies' conversion opened up a two-score gap. Howard landed two more penalties, but the Greens held out.