Wharfedale 19 Doncaster Knights 17

This Yorkshire derby delivered the excitement and thrills that everyone expected – and a result that hardly anyone predicted as Dale overcame the leaders.

Wharfedale immediately put the visitors under pressure, resulting in a fourth-minute penalty smoothly converted by Tom Barrett.

However, the influential stand-off was at fault a minute later. His pass out left was intercepted by centre Devon Armitage, who slipped the ball to winger Paul Jarvis for a try converted by Paul Roberts.

It soon got worse for the home side, the powerful Doncaster pack forcing a penalty try to lead 14-3.

Ironically, it was another setback for the Greens – No 8 Rob Baldwin sent to the bin for a tackle on scrum half Bruno Bravo – that sparked a turn-round.

Wharfedale not only played out Baldwin’s abs-ence without conceding, they set up a second penalty for Barrett on the stroke of half-time.

After the break, Dale winger Scott Jordan, sent clear by centre Phil Wood-head, finished off a fine move and Barrett added the extras to close the deficit to a point. Then Roberts and Dale’s fly half swapped penalties in mid-half to maintain the tension.

Barrett’s drop-goal, following intense pressure, edged Wharfedale in front and the Greens held on for their third victory against a top-four team.