Nottingham 21, Wharfedale 9 - Following on the defensive heroics against Harrogate, and the breathtaking victory at Stourbridge, this lack-lustre performance by Wharfedale was an anti-climax.

The Greens looked comfortable enough at half-time - just five points adrift - having coped with a strong wind in their faces. However, they only rarely troubled a workmanlike home side in the second half.

The game started in encouraging fashion for the visitors, clearly set on ensuring no repeat of the early devastation suffered at Stourbridge.

Jonathan Davies opened the scoring with an 11th-minute penalty, and Dale enjoyed the bulk of territorial advantage.

Nevertheless, ball-retention as rucks formed was already something of a problem.

Nottingham gradually came more into the game and opened their account with a try on 27 minutes after a maul overcame the Greens' resistance. Russell Southam missed the conversion, but added a penalty in the last minute of the half.

The second-half resurgence anticipated by travelling fans simply failed to materialise.

The reliable boot of Davies, with two further penalties replying to a brace by Southam, kept the Greens in touch, but when Southam finished off a decisive home surge with a try under posts on 66 minutes the home fans' joy was justifiably confident as Nottingham triumphed.