NATIONAL LEAGUE TWO NORTH

Sedgley Park 20

Wharfedale 15

WHARFEDALE were denied at the death as home side Sedgley Park hung on to win a close, hard-fought pre-Christmas encounter in National League Two North.

Sedgley Park started well and went in front in the second minute with a try by Riley, converted by Collins.

The Greens battled back strongly and Rian Hamilton was unlucky not to cross for a try when his kick and chase ended in a knock on with the line beckoning.

The rest of the half was nip and tuck with the hosts backs, led by the impressive Collins, and the visitors' forwards nullifying each other.

However, on the stroke of half-time Wharfedale captain George Hedgley powered over from close range to make the score 7-5 to the Tigers at the break.

The second half started with the lead changing hands courtesy of penalties from Jack Blakeney-Edwards and then Collins.

After sustained pressure and numerous phases, slick passing saw Wharfedale regain the upper hand with a well-worked converted try from Harry Bullough.

With the score standing at 15-10, the game was in the balance and it took a stroke of misfortune, from a Dale perspective, to see the home side regain the lead.

A charged down kick bounced straight into the hands of the Sedgley Park prop, who spun the ball to his backline and the pacy winger, Simpson, scored out wide.

An immaculate conversion from Collins from the touchline made the scoreline 20-15 going into the final ten minutes.

The Greens searched in vain for the winning score, going through many phases with good linking between backs and forwards, only for a knock-on at the death denying them an opportunity to take the honours from the game.