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Wharfedale RUFC
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7:18 PM 27th October 2024
sports

Match Report: Wharfedale 30 Hull Ionians 24

 
Ed Williams has been reporting for the Yorkshire Times, part of the p.ublished group of online newspapers, on his local club, Wharfedale RUFC.

photo credit  Ro Burridge
photo credit Ro Burridge
Wharfedale had established a good lead by halftime but a spirited comeback by Ionians made a tense climax to the game. Another big crowd at the Avenue enjoyed the sunny afternoon and some good open rugby.

Dale had the better of the opening exchanges making effective use of the breeze and the slope. Wharfedale were playing good rugby and looked to have put Stockton through to score, only to be stopped by a finely judged forward pass. They had a penalty advantage waiting and Harry Bullough sent the ball into the corner.

photo credit  Ro Burridge
photo credit Ro Burridge
More phases followed and more penalties. Ignoring a very kickable penalty in front of the posts, Dale opted for the scrum. With the Hull forwards tied in to the set piece fearing the Green Machine shove, quick ball went down the line and Harry Bullough opened the scoring with a try. Robbie Davidson converted. The home side did not let up and had the majority of possession and territory for the next 20 minutes.

Josh Prell was on the end of two good handling moves to score two unconverted tries. From the visitor’s restart Davidson sent the ball fifty metres downfield for a Hull lineout on their own 10 metre line. The ball was not straight, and Dale opted for the scrum. Hull were awarded a free kick for an early push and did their best to run out of their half, but a forward pass ended their aspirations.

photo credit  Ro Burridge
photo credit Ro Burridge
An efficient scrum produced good ball and Josh Prell bullied his way into the Hull 22. Strong work by the forwards had Hull on the back foot and after 4 phases the ball was sent wide to Prell who touched down. Prell’s second effort was again the result of concerted play from all the Wharfedale players again going coast to coast and stretching the defence with forwards and backs combining effortlessly. Another attack was thwarted by another finely judged decision of a forward pass which drew applause from Hull’s wing forward, Allan Hudson!

Hull eventually managed an abbreviated period of possession and, with George Mewburn dominating midfield, managed to get on the scoreboard with Mewburn touching down. Lewis Minikin added the extras. Other Hull players were fringe players as it was Mewburn who carried the ball out of defence, a couple of phases later he burst up to the line, only to be stopped by a magnificent tackle by Sam Dickinson, and then he was on hand to score.

photo credit  Ro Burridge
photo credit Ro Burridge
Wharfedale ended an entertaining half with perhaps the best try of the match. Dale capitalised on a Hull mistake and Bradley Viner swept down the field. The ball was passed on quickly by George Hedgley and Robbie Davidson and then finished by Rian Hamilton. Davidson slotted the conversion from the touchline to leave the score at 24-7 at halftime.

Davidson and Minikin exchanged penalties before tries by Josh Britton and Mewburn made the game close. It was noted by a few spectators that Lewis Minikin was 100% on the day backing up comments made at Twickenham when some of the faithful travelled down to HQ to watch Yorkshire play Kent in the County final. Minikin missed two last gasp kickable shots at goal which would have handed the championship to Yorkshire. “He never misses against us!”

photo credit  Ro Burridge
photo credit Ro Burridge
Another entertaining afternoon at the Avenue; another five points in the bag and Dale firmly established in 5th position in National Division 2 North. Next week sees a break in the League campaign giving the squad a much-needed rest. They will need it as on November 9th Dale are away to 3rd place Sheffield.

Wharfedale Bullough; Viner, Prell, Cicognini, Hamilton; Davidson, Riddiough; Dickinson, Stockdale, Armstrong, Stockton (Borrill 55), Hedgley (c), Weston, Markey, Beresford (Burton 77). Replacements not used Collinson, Barker, Cox