It is very rare to score 5 tries and end up losing the match, but Wharfedale made 3 disastrous errors last Saturday which allowed Macclesfield to run in three extra tries, which proved the difference between the two sides.

The sunshine was out and there was little wind, so the travelling faithful were looking forward to a feast of rugby. Take the three howlers off the table, and Dale gave a good account of themselves. The forwards were generally in control and never allowed Macclesfield to dominate. The Macclesfield backs worked like a group of sharks on a feeding frenzy, and their handling and support play were good. Thankfully they were a little greedy at times and ran into the defence instead of passing.

Macc started strongly and severely tested Wharfedale’s defence. Some sharp play saw them deep in Dale’s 22 and after multiple phases Oliver Longmire crashed over. Harry Oliver converted. The pressure from the home side continued after the restart until they lost the ball, and Tom Beresford sent an almighty kick which nearly became a 50-22. Dale was soon awarded a penalty on the halfway line, and Jack Greig sent the ball into touch to give Dale an attacking lineout. A successful set piece was followed by quick ball and Oli Riddiough squeezing through to touch down for an unconverted try.

The home side then scored two converted tries. First Toby Talbot and then Harry Hughes crossed the whitewash, with Ciaran Shone converting both. Macc discipline then cost them possession and territory, and Dale had chances to score. A well-rehearsed lineout move saw the ball dropped to Robbie Collinson, who timed a pass to allow Brad Viner to burst through the defence to score. Jack Grieg added the conversion to leave the score 21-12 at halftime.

Four penalties were given away by Macc at the start of the second half and Dale worked their way from defence to attack. Forwards and backs combined to set up a try for Beresford. Greig’s conversion closed the gap to 2 points.

Then Dale hit the silly button. Possession was squandered too easily, and Field took full advantage, scoring three unanswered tries. Samson Shute, Ben Blackburn and Harry Hughes scored, with Shone converting one.

Wharfedale got the bonus point try when Oli Cicognini danced over on 70 minutes, and the faithful were still hoping for more. Sadly, it was silly season again. The restart was dropped to give Macc another attacking platform, which they again used to score. Shute again scored before he intercepted the ball and ran in his hat trick try from 60 metres. Shone converted both.

Dale finished well after being awarded another penalty (Macclesfield’s 14th to Wharfedale’s 4). Grieg sent the ball for a 6-metre lineout, and then an accomplished move allowed Viner to dot down for his second try. Grieg finished the match with the conversion. Oh! What might have been.

Wharfedale: Haddon (Bell 57); Viner, Trees (Riddiough 13), Cicognini, Weston; Greig, Morgan; Dickinson, Collinson (Holden 64), Ward (Bentley 29, Ward 57), Heys (Tweedale 57), Borrill, Hedgley (c), Pinder (Heys 74), Beresford