Match Report: Wharfedale 32 Huddersfield 31

Playing downhill, which for some time now has not appeared to offer any advantage, Wharfedale had no possession for a couple of minutes as Huddersfield swept left to right and back again but, on losing possession, the Greens launched a devastating counter attack from inside their 22.

This was to be a feature of the match with Oscar Canny in particular showing what a dangerous runner he can be. The result of his good work, after Gaudie and Verity had begun it all, was a penalty which Tom Davidson duly converted.

Runs from Burridge and Cicognini followed and a penalty to touch put the Greens in the ascendency again. ‘Field conceded another penalty but Davidson’s attempt faded just wide.

Very quickly though, Verity set Canny through to score on the right after a chip ahead and regather. Davidson added the extras. The Greens kept up the pressure with Rob Davidson held up just short and a series of line outs making it difficult for the visitors.

Two very long passes from left to right with full back Verity in the line saw Canny crossing again wide out, Davidson converting with a fine kick. This meant that the score was 17-0 after less than 20 minutes of exhilarating play.

The pressure continued and resulted eventually in a try by Carlson after great combined work by Burridge, Gaudie and Canny again. The attempted conversion just drifted right.

With the score 22-0, Huddersfield had a period of sustained pressure and, despite doughty defence by the Greens, scored wide out on the right through Kian Stewart. Will Milner converted with aplomb as is his wont. 22-7 was therefore the half time score.

The second half started with Wharfedale conceding far too many penalties. Field’s Milner decided to kick for goal when within range and this reduced the deficit to 22-10. The penalty count against Wharfedale continued and Rob Davidson received a technical yellow card on 60 minutes.

The visitors took advantage, reducing their deficit to 5 points after a converted try by Finn Stewart. Substitute scrum half Henry MacNab eased the concerns of the faithful when scoring two minutes after coming on to the field. This followed great play on the right at pace. Tom Davidson kicked his third conversion followed by a successful penalty to add to his earlier penalty goal, thereby out scoring Will Milner by one point. Those points proved crucial as in the final 5 minutes Huddersfield added two more converted tries by Ed Barber and Liam Stapely.

Field deserved their two bonus points. They never gave up when well behind. In the event Wharfedale’s 5 points were all that they needed, but the inconsistencies in their performance need to be addressed.

After their superb efforts at Sedgley Park in such a narrow defeat, this was a victory that the faithful had hoped for. Field’s recent form with 7 wins out of 9 until today has been highly encouraging too and we look forward to meeting them again next season. They contributed wonderfully to a second really special and highly entertaining encounter for the Greens, so very different I should add from the November fixture between the two local rivals.