Waterloo 32 Wharfedale 8

Waterloo underlined their National League Two promotion credentials with a comprehensive six tries to one victory - but they were made to fight for every score.

The Greens earned considerable credit for a valiant performance and know that the scoreline does not reflect their contribution to a hard-fought, full-blooded match played in atrocious conditions.

In fact, for the opening halfhour the Dalesmen took the game to their hosts, threatening to knock them out of their stride.

A lesser side might have been panicked into desperate measures but the Waterloo of 2005-06 have the quality, confidence and patience to hold to a game-plan and wait for scoring opportunities.

Eventually, those opportunities arrived - and, like the proverbial London buses - three came at once!

After 37 scoreless minutes, first hooker Chris Tyms, then No 8 David Blythe and, finally on the half-time whistle, full back Steve Nutt collected tries.

The Tyms score was converted by winger Neil Hunter and suddenly the Greens faced a three-score deficit.

Mark Bedworth's penalty soon after the restart put his side on the board but a Hunter try then stretched the home lead to 19 points.

The best try of the match came on the hour - and it belonged to Wharfedale.

It was a truly spectacular score that would have been remarkable even in perfect playing conditions.

Bedworth, collecting inside the visitors' 22, set off on a stunning run that took him to the opposite 22 line.

There the supporting Chris Malherbe took over and completed the charge to the Waterloo line.

At 22-8, there were hopes of a recovery, but that was as close as the Greens were to get.

Waterloo lock Paul White profited from one of several powerful mauls by the pack to grab a try in the 68th minute and centre Freeman Payne crossed in virtually the last action of the match.

Neither try was converted, justice perhaps taking the view that further salt in the gallant Dalesmen's wounds would be quite unwarranted.