Dale strike late to peg back Hoppers
Preston G'h……….26
Wharfedale ……..26
A LAST-MINUTE try earned Wharfedale a share of the spoils against Preston Grasshoppers as a mixture of good fortune and relentless offence paid off. In a match that lasted two hours from kick-off, Preston let slip a 14-point lead to only leave with a draw.
The only try of the first half was scored by Hoppers. A penalty try was awarded after cynical play by Matthew Beesley on Jacob Browne was penalised, the former receiving a yellow card.
The try was sandwiched between two Wharfedale penalties and Preston headed into halftime with a 13-6 lead after Tom Davidson added a penalty.
The hosts extended their lead in the second half with an intercept try.
Alex Hurst strolled in under the posts from halfway and Davidson added the extras, before another penalty gave Hoppers a 14-point lead. After trading penalties, Wharfedale scored their first of two tries with 15 minutes to play.
Matthew Speres went over after a driving maul from the five-metre line. Despite, a tenacious effort in defence, Hoppers were ultimately pegged back with the last play of the game.
A concession of multiple penalties kept Wharfedale within inches of the try line and Jonathan Moore scored under the posts, with Jack Blakeney-Edwards keeping his cool and slotting the vital conversion.
TEAMS
PRESTON: Jordan, Dorrington J, Davidson W, Hurst, Browne, Davidson T, Squirrell, Mabaya, Taylor, Miller, Murray, Howard, Carlson, Dorrington B, Wallbank
Replacements: Trippier, Madden, Harrison, Stott, Gregson
WHARFEDALE: Hamilton, Canny, Blackwell, Moore, Cicognini, Blakeney-Edwards, Gaudie, Altham, Stockdale, Dickinson, Borrill, Beesley, Brookes, Speres, Hedgley
Replacements: Patchett, Asejevs, Walker, Metcalfe, Lawn
REFEREE: Ieuan Davies
ATTENDANCE: 402
Star man
Jack Blakeney-Edwards – Wharf
