Wharfedale 14 Tynedale 27

After their victory at eighth-placed Loughborough Stud-ents the previous weekend, this was very much a case of ‘After The Lord Mayor’s Show’ for fifth-placed Wharfedale.

“We lost the match mentally,” confessed the Dales-men’s coach Jon Feeley of the setback against next-to-bottom Tynedale on a day when the harder the Greens tried the worse they got.

“They were a better team than when we last played them (Wharfedale won 40-27 at Corbridge on September 28) but they had to be and they were the better team here.

“We spoke beforehand how they were going to be desperate men but we have gone from the sublime to the ridiculous.

“We were out-enthused and that is the first time that has happened this season.”

Wharfedale, who were tested in the scrums and spilt far too much ball, were not helped by an ankle injury to lock Richard Rhodes, who was replaced by Josh Burridge as early as the 20th minute.

Feeley added: “That was a big loss and was destabilising but we have more than adequate cover.”

For once, a strong Wharfedale team were beaten in every department. Some of their younger players, who have showed great ability this season so far, looked vulnerable and this was exploited by Tynedale.

Dale started confidently with a Tom Barrett penalty after four minutes but Tynedale scored their first try soon afterwards, Ben Frankland scoring after a catch-and-drive.

A scrappy period of play ended with a second Tynedale try, scored by Hamish Smales which Beasley converted to make it 12-3.

Wharfedale’s restart went straight into touch and the resulting scrum was easily won by the dominant Tynedale eight. Direct running and good support allowed Matthew Charters to touch down under the posts, Beasley adding the extras.

Only a knock-on saved Wharfedale from a fourth try before half-time as Beasley kicked the penalty to leave Tynedale 19 points clear.

Wharfedale finished the half the stronger but Barrett could only convert one of the three chances on offer to leave them 22-6 down.

Barrett was successful at the start of the second half but poor tackling out wide allowed Tynedale a bonus-point try.

Individual mistakes dog-ged Dale but they managed a consolation try when Josh Burridge collected a kick and fed Joe Donkin, who scored wide out.