Cambridge 22 Wharfedale 16

Wharfedale were forced to play off the back foot for most of the game against promoted Cambridge in National League Two.

Lacking a number of key players through injury, the re-shaped side performed with spirit and defended well against the home side's running game.

However, operating with a paucity of effective possession throughout the match, the Dalesmen were never able to control proceedings sufficiently to give themselves a realistic chance of victory.

An excellent try by winger Neil Baggett after 67 minutes made the score 15-11, and might have provided a recovery platform but minutes later uncharacteristically slack defence allowed home winger Dom Jones in under the posts, and the match was lost.

In a final flourish, a bonus-point try by centre Chris Mal-herbe at least ensured that a sterling team effort would not go completely unrewarded.

Having facing a very strong wind in the first half, the Greens would not have been too depressed at the 10-0 interval deficit, a penalty just before the break adding to winger Phil Read's ninth-min-ute converted try.

However, when the elements were in their favour in the second half, they could not take any consistent advantage.

In the closing minutes they at last mounted a serious assault on the Cambridge line, but by then the points gap was too wide to bridge.

Centre Chris Lombard touched down for Cambridge's second try shortly after the re-start, to which Greens' skipper Andy Baggett replied with penalty successes in the 48th and 58th minutes.

Then came Neil Baggett's fine score, after a scorching run down the flank - and transient hope.