Coventry 57 Wharfedale 7

It was Wharfedale's misfortune in this EDF Energy National Trophy fourth-round tie to meet a Coventry side in a rich vein of form (this was their eighth successive home victory) and brimming with confidence.

However, though well beaten, the Dalesmen were not disgraced.

They fought to the end, even effecting a turnover under their own posts seconds before the final whistle.

There can be little argument about a nine tries to one defeat but the 50-point margin was not justice.

Four tries were claimed when yellow cards deprived the Greens of the services of, first, scrum half James Do-herty (just before half-time) and then Alastair Allen (mid-way through the second period).

Coach John Lawn will draw a number of positives from his team's showing - in particular, the performance of the forwards, who were never second best to their National One opponents, either in set-pieces or the loose.

However, the Greens' back division rarely found the time or space to seriously trouble the home defence.

Chris Malherbe's 52nd-min-ute try, though well-worked, was an isolated chance, with 38 points already conceded.

The opening quarter showed little sign of the deluge to come. Coventry lock Louis Tonkin's early try apart, the Greens held their own, playing sensible possession rugby against a strong wind.

Coventry's second try in the 35th minute was distinctly avoidable.

They had tried a snap throw-in from touch once already, and repeated the trick to provide the opening for winger Sam Montague.

Within ten minutes two further scores - by winger Ben Toft, and then Tonkin - effectively ended any chance of a shock result. Ben Russell landed six conversions.