Derby delight for fast-starting Dale

By EDWIN WILLIAMS

Wharfedale………… 21

Harrogate……………..11

A dominant first-half display by Wharfedale was enough to seal victory in a gritty derby clash with Harrogate.

The home side led 16-0 at the interval and were then able to hold off a Harrogate fight back in the second period.

Wharfedale started very brightly and the opening score came in the third minute. A drop-out from under the Harrogate posts was run back by Wharfedale and, five phases later, the ball was moved right for Josh Prell to claim an unconverted try.

Tom Davidson then slotted a penalty before Dale attacked again down the left. A kick ahead led to a Henry Macnab try. Davidson missed from the tee, but added another penalty before the interval.

The visitors gradually clawed their way back into the game and got on the scoreboard with two Rory Macnab penalties. Harrogate made good use of possession and narrowed the gap to five points with an unconverted try by Harrison Walker.

The hosts then enjoyed a spell of pressure. From a line-out just outside Harrogate’s 22, Dale went through eight phases before spreading the ball right. A long pass from Louis Verity was collected by Owen Bullock, who crossed in the cor ner for an unconverted try.