Six and out as Wharfedale hot streak ends

Wharfedale’s five-match winning streak in the league came to an abrupt end at Blaydon.

Dale incurred the wrath of the officials early on and this did not help their cause but the hosts – on a good unbeaten run themselves – deserved the thumping win.

Apart from a shaky line-out, every department of their play was better than the Greens’.

Their defence was strong and led to Wharfedale turning the ball over on too many occasions.

Two pushover tries and a penalty try were a measure of the hosts’ dominance.

It would be easy to say that the two Newcastle players Ben Morris and Zach Kibirige were the main difference. They did have a big influence but Dale ran out of space, options and ideas.

The opening was the brightest part of the match for the visitors. An exchange of kicks ended with a line-out to Dale just inside their own half. Good running from Rob Baldwin, Aaron Myers and Joe Donkin led Wharfedale through phases and deep into the Blaydon 22. Quick ball gave scrum half Phil Woodhead space to make a clean break for the line and the opening try which Tom Barrett converted.

The turning point came when the Wharfedale eight lost a scrum against the head. Pressure built on the Dale line and ended with the award of a penalty try to Blaydon, which Andy Baggett converted to bring the scores level.

Two more tries and a successful penalty kick meant that the Greens trailed 22-7 at the break.

The second half was nearly all Blaydon as they scored four more tries, while Dale only managed one from Christian Georgiou after an excellent team move.