Wharfedale are six points from safety after defeat to Loughborough Students

LOUGHBOROUGH Students played a more mature brand of rugby in the second half to enable them to leave Wharfedale six points from potential safety.

The visitors took the lead when the Greens handed them the ball and Josh Sharpe whipped over the line to score, a simple conversion following.

Dale drew level with a rolling maul that was set up in midfield, with Josh Burridge being awarded the score and Jamie Guy adding the extras.

Sharpe then added a penalty before splitting the defence open to score his second try, his conversion giving the students a 17-7 lead.

Wharfedale finished the first half strongly, however, and their pack drove over for two more converted tries via Rob Baldwin and Steve Graham to see them in for a brew leading 21-17.

Dale defended for most of the second half and eventually were broken.

A penalty from Sharpe was followed by two unconverted tries from Paolo Odogwu and George Davis.

Loughborough gained more control of the scrum in the second period, and good touch kicking and an effective line- out meant they had control of the ball and control of territory.

Dale’s rolling maul worked well but they found it hard to get into the right field position to use it.

However, both teams should be credited for trying to play good rugby on a heavy pitch with a wet and muddy ball.