AN unremitting war of attrition ended in totally appropriate fashion at The Avenue when the umpteenth forward drive of a game which contained little else on a bitingly cold, gale-swept, rain-sodden afternoon ended in Wharfedale snatching a deserved 15-12 victory over Doncaster with a try in the seventh minute of injury time.
Wharfedale formally opened their new fitness centre before the game. What followed was an eloquent advert for the importance of muscle on a day when the elements conspired totally against the application of skill and grey matter - other than to identify the surest route to success.
In fairness, drawing up the blueprint for success did not involve rocket science. With a gale gusting down the pitch and sheets of rain adding to the difficulties in the second-half, this was no day for fancy football.
Fluent handling was for believers in cloud cuckoo land - and there were one or two about - and the name of the game for the team playing against the slope and the elements was unequivocal trench warfare.
Progress was claimed in feet rather than yards, belief in the game-plan needed to be total and patience above all else was the key attribute. A study of the way the battle of the Somme unfolded would also have been very apposite reading.
Newcomers to the game in a healthy crowd would probably have wondered what all the fuss currently surrounding the game was about.
But the roar which greeted the moment replacement Sam Allen stretched through the Doncaster defence from close range to snatch the prize confirmed that the enjoyment of traditional hand-to-hand conflict remains alive and well up the Dale.
Had referee David Sainsbury not allowed the extra time in which Wharfedale prevailed, Doncaster would also have been worthy winners, for in terms of commitment, effort, technique and single-minded application on a very challenging day, there wasn't a cigarette paper between the teams.
Doncaster would have deserved the points on the strength of their second-half showing.
They managed a couple of first-half tries with the slope, one a penalty try when Wharfedale infringed when a close-range scrum was in ominous retreat and the second when strong forward pressure eventually created enough space for centre Richard Poskitt to force his way over on the right.
But as the weather deteriorated and the rain set in, a 12-10 lead looked extremely fragile. Even though Wharfedale had kept such a tight grip on proceedings before the break, it seemed most unlikely that Doncaster could repeat the process, so well-organised and disciplined had been the home performance against the slope.
But Doncaster's control of the ball supply and their resolute, well-executed pick-and-drive prevented the Dalesmen from delivering the hefty hoof down the middle of the field that the situation required.
As a result, it was Wharfedale who were on the back foot throughout the second-half and had their concentration and resolve weakened for a moment, the visitors would have made the game safe.
But though wingman Ed Burrill twice went close in the later stages and the Dalesmen needed all hands to the pumps on a number of occasions as they struggled to raise the seige, the defence held firm, allowing Allen to steal the win on the one occasion when the Greens finally got a footing and possession in the home 22.
In fairness, in terms of just deserts, Allen's score wasn't strictly a steal because the side had worked so hard to make it happen.
Against the slope Wharfedale were impeccable, save for a couple of extravagantly ambitious moments. They controlled the ball supply and had individuals responding to the challenge in terrific style.
Games like this are meat and drink to No 8 Ben Wade, who has spent much of his career arm-wrestling with heavyweight Rotherham packs as they have muscled their way to the top.
His ability to get the better of his opposite number Mike Brookes was a key factor in Wharfedale containment operation and it was a mistake by Brookes from a pick-up late on which gave the Dalesmen crucial possession.
Wade also had plenty of willing henchmen in the pack, while behind, especially in the first-half, the side was excellently served by centres Andy Baggett and Jonathan Davies as the Dalesmen risked moving the ball a couple of stages away from the forward umbrella.
Davies has plenty of timber to stand the ball up in the tackle and provide a platform for further recycling, providing he does not go to ground, which his technique is less assured.
Baggett was altogether more incisive on the day, breaking first-up tackles impressively and making valuable yardage on a day when most advances were measures in feet and inches.
In addition to containing and controlling, Wharfedale also underlined their right to the prize by scoring two first-half tries.
The first came from wingman Pedram Salashouri, who had plenty to do when presented with the ball 30 yards out.
Flimsy would be a kindly description of the challenge offered by full-back Jonathan Ellis as he was left spread-eagled in the Dalesman's wake, but this was a quality wingman's try in which he beat his man in limited space, slipped passed a despairing prop in the process and then had the energy to accelerate to the line for a fine try.
Wharfedale's second try, from Davies, was preceded by some sustained ball retention and relentless bombardment by his forwards, Davies crossing near the corner to fuel Wharfedale's growing belief.
From that point, Doncaster took complete control, but though the frustrations inflicted by the visitors' rearguard and their own occasional handling blemishes tested Wharfedale's spirit to the bitter end, the refused to concede and snatched the win at the death.
It was no more than their unquenchable spirit deserved.
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